Chapter 1: Telephone
That's right, my loves- I just indicated which chapter this is. ;) I figured a light, easy multi-chapter story could give my fried brain as much of an occasional break as one-shots could. It'll definitely be done or near-done when Strawberry Meets Death resumes in December! That's right- It's not discontinued! It just deserves more time and effort than I could right now.
Oh, and I do appreciate every single review, especially to those who review every chapter and every story I've written- you know who you are! Thank you thank you thank you so much! I am simply and honestly horrible at responding- so please remember I do appreciate your opinions and support!
Anyways, I do not have either of the fancy phones I use in this story, but they just seem to work well for it. I am using a few current concepts from Bleach (like his flippin' hair that I am obsessed with!) and twisting up a bit of their lifestyle, such as the phones. No, this story is not based of Gaga's "Telephone." I do, however, have it playing as I write this AN (for those who know me well, you know this story is safe since I write my ANs afterwards. lol)
Enough rambling! I need sleep cause I have a Cell Bio midterm on Monday to study for D: I hope you like this :)
Disclaimer: I do not own any brand/copyrighted names used in this story. They will always be italicized. I do not own any songs mentioned, or any characters/concepts from Bleach.
The room was dark and silent when the clock ticked midnight, the windows pulled open to let in a breeze, the curtains drawn to play in it; the moonlight pouring through onto the large bed just beneath the window, the silence was broken as a small light suddenly shone from the nightstand, a vibrating sound humming through the dark wooden material, echoing in the night.
A groan cursed out, sheets ruffled about as the tall, exhausted body resting within the bed's comfort moved under the covers, a hand working itself out from underneath to reach out and blindly search for the cell, the silent device brought close as amber eyes looked out from the mess of sheets, tired and desperate for sleep.
Tapping the screen to the Torch, the light stinging his eyes, Ichigo opened his new text message, glaring at it within seconds.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
You smell like sweaty balls.
Growling lightly, carelessly dropping his phone to the carpeted floor, Ichigo buried himself back beneath his sheets, cussing every Kuchiki Rukia in the world, grumbling about insensitive midgets, waking him up in the middle of the night on a Thursday….
...maybe I should apologize for not calling tonight.
The coffee shop just a block away from the university was loud with the morning rush, Ichigo sighing tiredly as he stepped in, stuck at the end of a long line, the two baristas rushing to take orders quickly.
Shifting his worn, leather messenger the twins had gotten him on his shoulder, Ichigo pushed his aviators up on the bridge of his nose, digging his hand into his jeans' pocket; pulling out his cell, running a hand through his long mane reaching his collar, covering most of his ears and eyes, Ichigo tapped Messages with his thumb, starting up a new text.
To: Midg-
"Ah, shit. Forgot…." Ichigo smirked, stepping forward as the line slowly progressed.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Yo.
The young male looked up as a shorter male bumped into his shoulder, Ichigo sighing as he moved up closer in line, his eyes scanning the small shop, looking about him.
So many of these faces about him had been in Karakura high, all his four years there; his phone vibrated in his hand, tearing his attention back onto it.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
What the hell do you want, asshole?
"Still pissed…." Ichigo muttered beneath his breath as he complained further, sliding the screen up, stepping forward in line, his thumbs ghosting quickly along the keypad.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
I'm sorry I didn't call yesterday. Had a long day of classes and studying. Where are you?
He hoped she was still where he hoped her to be- at home, a train's ride away from him, away from any perverts creeping around at the community college she was going attend in Karakura, starting next week.
The bleached blonde in front of him taken care of, Ichigo stepped up to the counter, resting his Torch on the smooth surface, reaching into his back pocket for the worn, leather wallet Rukia had given him; looking up at the menu, Ichigo made to order his usual, the tall, lean brunette female barista beating him to it.
"Double Grande White Mocha with caramel- already on it."
Rubbing the back of his neck as she winked prettily at him before leaving for his order, Ichigo picked up his vibrating cell, smiling at the words he read.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Home. Did that brunette finally end up with your drink ready to go before you even reached the front?
Laughing, said brunette back with his order, Ichigo pocketed his cell as he took the warm cup, sliding the money across the counter, tossing the returned coins in the tip jar resting by the register; lifting his cup, he quickly thanked the smiling female, stepping out of line to find a seat.
Sliding into an empty booth, slipping off his bag's strap from his shoulder, Ichigo took a cautious sip of his drink, taking out his cell with a swift slide of the screen, abandoning his drink to quickly reply to Rukia.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Haha, close; she beat me at saying it. No ready to go order. What are you doing today?
Ichigo thought back to an entire summer break's time ago when he and his family were getting to know his college city and home, finding the small shop after a long day of exploring, he and Rukia opting to order as Isshin and the girls found a booth.
Rukia nearly died trying to hold back her smirking and laughter, the heavy flirting by the brunette barista obviously amusing her as Ichigo flushed shyly.
He's gotten used to the attention, now.
Amber eyes wandering around as he waited for Rukia's response, he caught sight of Chad and Inoue, smiling lightly as they found his hair, the pair walking over to him.
"Kurosaki-kun; good morning!" "Morning, Ichigo."
"Hey Chad, Inoue." The gentle giant sat down beside him, Inoue across from them, dropping her bag and books; "What time are your classes today, Kurosaki-kun?"
A strong temptation to roll his eyes at her behind his dark lenses was ignored, Ichigo wondering why she bothered, well aware she had memorized his schedule before even he had.
"They start at eleven today. You two ordering something?" Picking up his drink, he drank more of it, the liquid at the perfect temperature.
"Yes, we are; I just don't know what... what are you drinking, Kurosaki-kun? I'll just have that!"
His cell vibrated, his attention drawn to his lap, his thumb tapping the message from Kuchiki Rukia open.
With a smirk, Chad already standing to head to the counter, Ichigo rested his cup on the table, shrugging at Inoue; "Just a mint frappuccino."
Left alone, Ichigo finished reading the message before replying.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Tell Inoue you have a mint frappuccino today.
And I'm going shopping with Karin and Yuzu.
Rukia waited patiently in the car just parked outside of Karakura High, the windows rolled down to let the breeze through, the last of summer's heat leaving its final touch on her skin; her Summer Days playlist on her iPhone was playing through her speakers, the AUX cable neatly maneuvered around the gear shift to let her cell rest on the storage console between the front seats.
She loved her TSX.
Her cell vibrated as the bell rang to dismiss the students, Rukia picking up her iPhone, sliding the screen lock as she picked at her tight jeans' seam, her black-tipped nails scratching lightly at her thigh.
She opened her messages with the orange haired buffoon, reading the newest to the large amount as students passed by, ignoring the appreciative and desperate cat-calls at the beauty clad in a smoked grey v-neck, her hair clipped up, her stray strand of hair over her sunglasses hugging the frame of her face comfortably.
My professor has the attitude of Kenpachi. I don't know how I'll manage an entire semester with him.
Picking up the girls?
Violet eyes looked up past the dark lenses, Yuzu and Karin making their way to her car, the beautiful sophomores rushing past admirers together, slipping into Rukia's metallic grey Acura.
Ha! Maybe it's really him using Kurotsuchi's creepy inventions to disguise himself and pounce you when you least expect it.
Yuzu settled into the front passenger seat as she passed Karin her backpack, the sandy-brown haired teen smiling at Rukia as the older female reached over to lovingly tug her long, soft hair, Karin leaning forward as she brushed back her full, black hair, pointing at Rukia's cell in her hand; "Talking to our brother, Rukia?"
"Yeah, any threats for him you want me to relay?"
"Tell Ichi-nii I'll cook his favorite dish this weekend." Yuzu pulled her seat-belt over, the black strap clicked in place.
Karin pulled her baseball cap out from her bag, pulling it on as she sat back; "Let him know we still have a soccer match to settle. I can probably beat him even in heels."
Smirking at the black-haired female, Yuzu rolling up her window, Rukia quickly typed Ichigo's loving messages from his sisters, her own sent just after, sent just before placing it back on the console as she steered out and away from the school.
By the way- I bet twenty that she - can - beat you in heels. Later Berry, driving now.
Ichigo wasn't sure how to explain his relationship with Rukia now, as he sat there in the small coffee shop, waiting for Chad to meet him, with Inoue likely in tow.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Just waiting for Chad and Inoue to show up. How was shopping with the girls?
Senior year had breezed by quickly after everything they held through in the Winter War, his summer spent with very little time at home, and two whole months settling into his new life at the university, away from home.
His father, with support from Soul Society and his new job at the hospital just beyond Karakura, was paying for his schooling and new apartment, so to keep in touch with his partner back home, Ichigo figured the least he could do on his own was to buy his own cell, small jobs of tutoring paying off the bills.
He didn't think they'd be texting and calling nearly every day, nearly every hour.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Got them new clothes since nothing fits them anymore! I swear this is the last generation of their clothes I can use afterwards. They're taller than me :(
Say hi to Sado and Inoue
He had thought it was just a phase when he noticed the constant messaging and calling, but he found himself always wondering what she was doing, found himself asking even pointless questions as "How was breakfast?" more often than "How was patrol today?"
He couldn't explain the feeling he had when she subtly hinted for a call from him every other night.
"Get to bed already, idiot. Call me again sometime. Like Wednesday, but no later than ten! Friday you can call after ten if you need to. I won't be home on Sunday, though."
Ichigo dropped his smirk when he saw Inoue and Chad walking over, the pair sliding into the seat across from him with their 'hello,' the tall male nodding back at them; "Yo. Rukia sends a greeting to you guys. Ready to go?"
Chad asked him to send his best to her, Inoue silent as she watched Ichigo pick up his cell, sliding his sunglasses on as he typed up a message, the curvy strawberry-orange haired girl adding her own small reply for him to send.
She always saw him on that phone.
Inoue remembered the selfish relief she had felt when she learned Rukia decided to stay in school, but at a much cheaper campus, where education wasn't as exclusive and demanding; she felt the strange and confusing relationship between the two shinigami would finally fade, a chance at spending time with Ichigo Inoue's main drive to accept the spot in the university's enrollment.
He barely ever had time to even look at her, his attention on his cell or his books.
"Alright, let's go." Ichigo stood with the pair as they made their way out the door, Inoue frowning at the brunette's call of 'See you tomorrow!' at Ichigo, the male having simply waved back lazily.
Inoue scoffed to herself; trust me- you're farther than Rukia is to him even though she's miles away.
The three students sat silently around the small coffee table in Ichigo's living room, their books and papers scattered about, Chad using Ichigo's laptop to start a research assignment, Inoue annotating her textbook on General Biology.
Finished re-writing his notes, pushing his textbooks aside, Ichigo quietly excused himself as he picked up his Torch at the strike of eight o'clock, walking out to the balcony, the door left open behind him; Chad glanced beyond the laptop's screen at Inoue, finding her longing gaze on the male standing just beyond the sliding doors, her lips in a frown as she heard "Rukia…." Slip past his lips.
Chad was never sure what to do when he witnessed this.
"I'm good, midget, just finished studying for the night. I won't have much to do when I go home this weekend if I read ahead tonight."
"Then you better read ahead tonight!"
Ichigo let a small laugh leave him, the male leaning over the railing of his balcony, the city view before him; "I will, midget. Anything happen today?"
"You mean aside from every little detail I gave you today? Well, I found this book I think you should read; you know, get some intelligence into that empty brain of yours. There was also that guy next to us at the stop light."
Hey, Tatsuki, just got your message. I'm picking up Ichigo, so it won't be a problem to get Inoue. Talk to you later.
A sigh left Rukia's lips, the female zipping up her light, white sweater, caring less about leaving off a shirt, only clad in her usual lacey bra beneath the material hugging her frame; she slipped her phone between her tight pelvis and light jeans' hem, leaving her room to head downstairs, the twins home from school.
"Hey, girls, I'm heading out for your idiot brother. Need anything?"
Karin looked up at her from the table, her hair in a sloppy braid, stray bangs teasing her brown, beautiful eyes long gone of their childish roundness; "I think we're gonna need stuff for tomorrow and the week coming up. Yuzu, where's your list?"
Her twin turned from the stove, brushing back her hair as she jerked her head at the fridge, thanking Rukia for picking up the errand, Rukia swiping the list off the fridge; "No worries, Yuzu; it's no problem at all. I'll see you guys in a couple of hours."
Don't destroy the house!"
Grabbing her keys and slim two-fold wallet, Rukia waved at the girls as she slipped on her black flats, heading out of the house, making her way towards her car.
Slipping into the seat, turning the key as she let the engine and AC run a minute, Rukia grabbed her phone from its place, tapping in a quick message to Ichigo before plugging it onto the AUX; "We're in for a interesting ride…."
Hey, get Inoue over to your place; I have to pick her up, too.
"Yeah, Inoue, Rukia told me Tatsuki can't pick you up, to tell you 'sorry.' Just get here around five, I guess."
Poking around his fridge, tossing out anything he suspected to rot over the weekend, Ichigo fought to keep from groaning at the girl on the other end of the line, her stuttering gnawing at his patience.
"I-Is it alri-ight if I… if I c-come over now, Kurosaki-k-un?"
Can he handle five hours with her?
"…Sure."
To: Kuchiki Rukia
You almost here, yet?
Ichigo sat back on his couch in sweats and his hoodie, Inoue sitting timidly a cushion away from him, the television set on The History Channel translated from English.
His cell vibrated, hardly given a chance to carry out before he opened her reply.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
You asked me thirteen minutes ago. One more time, and I'll turn this car around, and leave your sorry ass there, you hear!
"Damn it."
"What, Kurosaki-kun?" His amber eyes left his cell to look up at Inoue, the female brushing her bangs behind her ear, the strands staying in place.
His amber eyes narrowed slightly as he thought back to the times he'd seen Rukia do that very same movement, her stubborn hair always falling back in place, her stray bang always resting between her violet eyes.
Fuckin' hell; of all the things to remember.
"Nah, Inoue, just bickering with Rukia, as always." His cell vibrated on his lap, the male fighting not to immediately snap his eyes onto it; "You staying with Tatsuki this weekend?"
"Yes, I am, since her parents are out of town. Do you still have your room back home...?"
His cell nearly called out to him, to read what was surely Rukia's text- honestly; who else did he use his phone for?
"Well, I should, unless my dad destroyed it since I've come to live here."
"Oh…."
That was his cue to pick up his phone, tapping the screen with his thumb.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Heh… I just bought a strawberry smoothie. Smells like your fruity ass.
His eyes glared at the phone, Inoue staring at him curiously.
With a smirk, Ichigo slid the screen up, quickly typing his reply.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Been checkin' out my ass, then, Kuchiki?
"Is Kuchiki-san driving you back up?"
Ichigo looked up, his phone back on his lap, the male practically giddy for her violent, witty reply, Ichigo certain he could provoke her into a battle of insults, gaining distraction from the awkward time he's enduring with the timid female he knew held romantic feelings for him; "I'd feel bad, making her make the trip twice. I'll probably just take the train."
"Oh… would you mind if-?"
Linkin Park's "Faint" suddenly blasted from his phone, Ichigo immediately recognizing the ringtone he had set for Rukia's call, the screen lighting up with Kuchiki Rukia centered above her number.
Ichigo stood up from his place, pressing the green symbol to answer the call, pressing the device to his ear, curious of her call, rather than just texting back; "…Yeah?"
"Not as many times as I've caught you staring at my breasts, Strawberry."
She hung up on him, leaving him gaping with eyes wide.
Lowering the phone, staring at it until it dimmed itself to black, Ichigo frowned at the obvious, painfully quick loss in the day's battle, quickly typing back a lame But you didn't deny checkin' out my ass before mumbling with irritation, shuffling his way over to his kitchen.
He had never noticed his volume was on loud since he'd bought the phone, anyone's voice from the other end of the conservations clear to anyone sitting near; a blushing Inoue no different from that 'anyone' sitting near.
Rukia closed her car's sleek door as she slipped her cell beneath the hem of her jeans hugging her hips, the petite shinigami making her way to enter the large apartment building, the sun just barely starting to lower itself in the sky; making her way up to Ichigo's apartment to the best that she could remember, Rukia bit her lip as she stepped out into the hallway she seemed to remember as his, scanning the numbers on the door until one jarred her memory.
"Four hundred thirteen… this should be it… shouldn't it?"
Knocking, Rukia stepped back, crossing her arms across her chest, unconsciously tapping her foot.
Within seconds, the door opened, Inoue's grey eyes meeting her; "Kuchiki-san!"
"Hey, Inoue." Rukia smiled warmly at Inoue, walking into her open arms; "I see you've either killed Ichigo or he's being a lazy idiot and making you do his job…."
"Oh, no, Kuchiki-san." Inoue laughed softly, stepping aside to let the shorter female in; "He's in his room, changing."
A long-time roommate of Ichigo's before his leave for the university, Rukia simply shrugged, making her way towards his bedroom, shoving the door open despite Inoue's calls; "Oi, you done in here, Berry!"
Ichigo nearly laughed at how familiar it felt to have Rukia burst into his privacy, the male just barely having buckled his jeans, turning to look over his shoulder at her from his place across the room.
"Obviously not- bout time you got here, though…."
Rukia smiled knowingly, closing the door behind her out of habit from their time hiding her in his room, walking further into his new bedroom, looking around.
She felt so strange.
His room had stayed the same back home, bare of anything truly decorative, his closet pretty much empty.
His desk and bed were wiped and made every day, with Rukia spending most days in there, alone.
She wouldn't tell him that, though; "Your room isn't so bad, Ichigo…."
The apartment was based on low, soft neutral colors to begin with, but his room was of a green hue easy on the eyes, and working nicely with the brown bedding and dark wood of his furniture, his lush carpet a matching beige.
Rukia was sure she wouldn't mind time spent here.
Pulling on his white v-neck, Ichigo slid his closet shut, walking over towards Rukia, moving to lean against the desk, staring at her while he crossed his arms, the petite female glancing around; "My old room wasn't so bad, either."
He should have thought over what to do right now.
The last time he saw anyone from his home was the day he moved in nearly five months ago.
It's been nearly five months of texting Rukia practically every hour of the day, basically all week, every month.
He called her every other night to the best he could- with their unique relationship over time, with these new changes to it… are they supposed to hug? At least say 'hello' or something along the lines?
Ichigo felt like an idiot, standing there with her, both in silence; until she looked at him over her shoulder, meeting his gaze just beneath his longer hair teasing his eyes; "Glad you're coming home for a bit…."
He could settle for that.
Inoue sat awkwardly alone on Ichigo's couch, her grey eyes unable to keep off his bedroom door, silence behind it, Ichigo and Rukia's reiatsu hard to read.
She was damn near determined to have stood up and knocked, when the doorknob finally turned, Rukia stepping out of the bedroom with Ichigo behind her; "Sorry Inoue, the idiot was just letting me see his room."
Ichigo growled behind her, flicking her hair clipped up.
"You're the idiot for acting like you've never seen another room before!"
A few bickering and arguing passed before they eventually set out to leave back home, Ichigo carrying his single luggage as Rukia surprisingly offered to take his messenger without using it as a weapon, Inoue carrying her own two bags.
Locking the door behind him, lightly kicking Rukia's heels for her to start walking, the three friends made their way downstairs, shoving his bags with Inoue's into the trunk, the tall male taking his place in the front passenger seat, Inoue sitting behind Rukia.
Slipping behind the steering wheel, closing the door as she started pulling the belt over, Rukia turned the key in the ignition, lifting her hips and sweater to grab her phone, Ichigo's amber eyes on her, looking perplexed; "What, you don't have pockets or something?"
He was oddly interested, though, in her choice of placement for her iPhone on her being; he watched her plug in the device, setting up Ichigo's Playlist.
"I can shove my phone wherever I feel like, thank you very much." Shifting the gear into drive, Rukia pulled out into the street, the pair arguing about her choice of words.
Inoue didn't bother trying to join into their conversation.
"Yuzu needs some spices, Ichigo."
Folding the worn list of groceries, Rukia slipped it into her jeans' pocket, pushing the cart as the three set out towards the aisle with spices, Inoue pushing her own cart.
Finding the section for spices, Rukia and Ichigo scanned the names, Inoue quietly letting them know she'd be back quickly, leaving her cart with them as they nodded.
Ichigo read the labels from the top shelf, Rukia starting from the bottom; "Ichigo, is there wasabi up there? I don't see anything down here…."
"What would you do without me to read these labels up here, midget, eh?"
A swift punch met his arm, Ichigo barely even feeling it as he chuckled, nodding his head as he pointed at the bottle; "It's right there."
Of all the places, the top shelf.
"Well, aren't you going to get it already, Ichigo?" Crossing her arms, she glared at him, Ichigo smirking as he looked down at her; "Don't really feel like it, with that attitude of yours. But, does this mean you admit dependence on me?"
If looks could kill, she'd have made him implode before burning in hell by now.
"No, I don't need your idiotic help!" With a puff at her stray bang, Rukia stomped up to the shelving, moving up onto her toes, reaching out to grab the bottle just beyond her fingertips.
Ichigo found himself regretting it, his gaze fixed on the cell peeking out from beneath her jeans' tight hem along her slim pelvis and hips, the fitted sweater having ridden up her stomach with her hopeless attempt.
Was she ever affected by her phone vibrating against her, there?
…why the hell is he wondering? With a smirk, Ichigo stepped over to the cussing female, standing behind her as he reached over her and grabbed the bottle, Rukia falling back onto her heels, her body against his as he dropped the spice into her hands; "Here, chibi."
"I am not short!" She skillfully elbowed his stomach, Ichigo laughing at her useless attempt to inflict pain on him, neither having stepped away to put air between them.
Inoue's small voice pulled back their attention; "Um, I'm… back."
Surprised to find themselves fighting back a blush, Ichigo stepped away from Rukia, the petite female turning to grab hold of the cart; "Great! I guess we're done, then."
Nodding silently, Inoue followed Rukia and Ichigo to the store's registers, her eyes on Ichigo walking beside Rukia.
He hasn't even touched his phone once since Rukia picked them up some five hours ago.
Wee~ Hope you enjoyed, might have something to post Tuesday, after my midterm and lab. :)
Much love, Kurosakilove