CH 1: A Gigai Emergency
Rukia cracked open her heavy eyelids. It was still dark. Then again, it was always dark in the closet. Gingerly she pulled her body into a seated position. Even the simple motion of raising her body took more effort than usual. Two hollows in one night was rare but nothing she and Ichigo could not handle. However, it meant sleep was a commodity she was running short on. Yawning, she reached out her leaded hands and slid back the closet door. Ichigo sat in bed; hair disheveled and eyes dark rimmed.
"morning, Rukia" He yawned swinging his feet around to rest on the floor. Rukia forced her feet to do the same. But when her legs made contact with the floor, they wobbled like they were made of noodles and gave out. Ichigo jumped out of bed to catch her but his sheets had other things in mind. Ankles bound by his twisted bedding he slammed to the ground managing to provide a landing pad if not a steady arm.
Omphhh! Rukia fell diagonally across Ichigo's chest. Rukia took a moment to gather her strength and disentangled herself from Ichigo. Regaining his breath, Ichigo sat up rubbing his head. "What's wrong with you?" He asked dryly.
"I don't know." Rukia responded just as puzzled. My body did feel a little heavy but I thought it was just fatigue. Rukia sat up and reached out to touch her malfunctioning legs. "Maybe I over did it."
Ichigo's brows constricted in concern, "I think you should stay home and rest today." He decided helping her into his chair.
"No, rest will not help." Rukia repsonded in a knowing voice.
"Should I call Inoue?" Ichigo asked rummaging in his bag for his cell phone.
"No, no. It's not that serious. I've just over used this gigai. I need to go see Urahara about having it repaired or getting a replacement." Rukia tried to stand but felt her legs begin to falter. Damn, I though I had a little more time she cursed mentally.
"Oh no you don't." Ichigo easily pushed Rukia back into the chair. "We need to find a way to get you to Urahara's shop." He sat down on his bed facing Rukia.
"If I carry the gigai in soul reaper form people will see what appears to be a dead body floating down the street. That is no good. " Rukia rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"I guess I have to remain in this unwieldy gigai until I make it to Urahara's shop." Rukia dreaded the thought. Just standing was almost impossible. How could I have let my gigai deteriorate so far? Before she could finish her thought a blur of brown fluff streaked across the room.
"neeeeee-saaaaan" Kon screeched as he flew through the air toward Rukia. Unable to move quickly enough to fend off the plushie, Kon landed square on her chest and started to rub his head against her. Rukia grimaced. "You are so soft and wonderful, nee-san. I like this gigai just as it is." Rukia mustered her strength and threw Kon to the floor. "One more reason to get this gigai fixed as soon as possible, you perverted plushie!"
Kon hung his head dejectedly. "If I was big and strong like Ichigo, I would just sweep you off your feet and carry you there. But before that I would also like to…" Ichigo stomped on Kon in Rukia's stead before he could continue.
"Good idea, Kon." Ichigo grabbed his clothes and ran for the bathroom. "I'll take you to Urahara's on my bike before school." He called out as he headed down the hall. A few minutes later, dressed for school, Ichigo reappeared. Seeing Rukia still seated at his desk, he knelt down with his back to her. "Hop on."
Still a little unsteady, Rukia slowly reached out and placed her arms around Ichigo's broad shoulders. "Too slow" Ichigo mumbled before reaching back to grab Rukia's legs and hoist her into position on his back.
"How dare you handle me in such a manner!" Rukia rebuked. Ichigo cringed waiting for a blow but when none came he smiled.
"hmmm, I'm beginning to like this gigai too." Rukia was speechless but her face turned bright red.
"You're going to be late for school. Let's get going." She ordered, glad her voice did not betray her discomfiture. Ichigo jumped out the window to avoid a confrontation with his family and into the yard. He placed Rukia on the back of his bike and took off for Urahara's.
"Good morning Ichigo." Urahara called out in a mockingly pleasant voice. "You're out early…and what's this? Carrying Rukia on your back? My, my how chivalrous of you." He smiled suggestively and Ichigo quickly set Rukia down.
"What's with all you dirty minded soul society rejects. It's not like that" Ichigo snapped.
"Oh, a little testy aren't we." Urahara added unfazed, "me thinks he doth protest too much." Rukia took a slow step forward to face him.
"Actually, it appears I have over used this gigai. I was hoping you could help me, Urahrara-san." Urahara walked over to Rukia and examined her by prodding her slightly with his fan.
"Goodness you are hard on a gigai. I can fix it but it won't be cheap." Rukia nodded knowingly. With Kisuke Urahara nothing was ever cheap. Rukia pulled out chappy and was about to exit her gigai when a hand stopped her. "No, no I need the gigai empty. Here." Urahara took the candy from her then lifted his cane and tapped it against Rukia's chest. Her Shinigami form popped out and Urahara held her lifeless gigai in his arms.
Finally free to move Rukia turned to Urahara. "How soon can I expect the gigai to be ready?'
"A day maybe two" he responded. "Are you sure you just want it repaired? No enhancements?" He asked slyly raising one eyebrow and gesturing toward the gigai's chest. Rukia turned scarlet from anger and humiliation in equal parts.
"No, thank you, I like it just as it is." She replied in a strained voice.
"I am sure you find it plenty adequate." Urahara smiled. " I was thinking about Ichigo." Ichigo nearly fell over.
"What are you talking about, you perv!" Ichigo yelped before turning away and scratched his head nervously. Urahara sighed dramatically and clapped Ichigo on the back.
"That's a boy. Play sly." He leaned toward Ichigo and whispered conspiratorially in his ear. "For a little extra money on the side, I can make sure you get a C or even a D cup." Ichigo turned red and said nothing.
"What was that?!" Rukia demanded marching over to the two men with her hand on the hilt of her zanpakuto. "Urahara-san, repair the gigai with no alterations to the physical appearance." Rukia commanded in her best haughty Kuchiki family voice.
"As you wish." Urahara bowed and called for Jinta and Ururu to carry the gigai inside. Then winked at Ichigo before disappearing into the shop.
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Rukia had no assignments at the moment so she decided to hang around the school even without a gigai she could still be there in case a hollow appeared. As a spirit, she could no longer carry her cell phone/hollow detector so she would depend on Ichigo's transmitter.
Ichigo sighed and switched his head to his other hand. He looked out the window at Rukia perched on a tree branch. Crazy shinigami why would she come to school when she didn't have to? He wished his gigai could have stayed home so he could have a free day off. If Rukia liked school that much maybe she could stay here and take notes . After so much action, the banality of school was almost unbearable. Historical battles were boring after having participated in real ones. Ichigo fingered the hollow detector that hung from his waist.
"gwarr, gwarr, gwarr…" as if responding to his touch the hollow alarm sounded. All right a reason to leave! He looked over at Rukia and gave her a big goofy grin. He jumped out into shinigami form and before she could respond he was on the ground below running away.
"I've got this one!" Ichigo called waving his hand as his feet propelled him away faster and faster. Rukia looked after him her face a mixture of confusion and disbelief. What the hell is he thinking? Before she could go after him, she was called back to her senses by a collective gasp from the students in Ichigo's classroom. Ichigo's body lay lifeless across his desk.
"Crap we left Kon at home and I do not have any soul candy on me." Rukia could not move the body in her shinigami form but if she waited much longer people would freak and think Ichigo was dead. "How many times do I have to tell him not to just leave his body laying around? Moron!" Rukia cursed under her breath.
Out of options Rukia walked over to Ichigo's limp body. "Here goes nothing." Chad, Orihime, and Uryu stared in amazement as Rukia disappeared and Ichigo's body slowly sat up.
Cliff hanger!! Mwahahahaha ヘ(^0^)ヘ ...but seriously this is my first Bleach fanfic (my second fic total) so let me know what you think. I hope I got the characters right. I am new to Bleach but already love it. Thanks for reading! ('-'*)ｱﾘｶﾞﾄ