"Just give me the dang muffin!" Really, it wasn't that hard to figure out. All I wanted was a chocolate chip muffin. But oh no, you have to ramble on for ten minutes about what healthier choices I could be eating.
My left eye twitched, it was 6:45 pm and I was on my lunch break. I was so not in the mood for this.
My current annoyance handed me my muffin of glory wearily. I snatched it up quickly fearing that the health crazed cashier lady would attack me again. I turned around ready to high tail it out of the small convenient store only to find a butt load of cranky people waiting stiffly in a long line. Which all happened to have their anger focused entirely on me. I could feel hate emanating off of them by the second. I side stepped out of line, my boots making a "clump" sound, as I pulled my jacket closer around me. I gripped my muffin and started to march out.
"Sorry!" was all I said while I made my way out hurriedly.
"Ko I'm so glad you're here! Karin won't unlock the door for her dear old dad! I fear she needs a women's help! I tried to give her my undying love for her but she just ran and stomped into her room!" Oh yeah I almost forgot about him..
I sweat dropped seeing Isshin clawing at Karin's door, crying like a little kid. I walked over to the coat hanger in the hall way and put my coat up. Then, I moved my depressed boss over with a slight nudge of my foot and knocked.
"Karin, it's Ko."
"Come in." I smiled. From my peripheral vision I could see her bawling father fling up in astonishment.
"What? How come you let her in but you won't let your dear ol-" I shut the old cedar door on him, turning around to find Karin looking down forlornly on her bed with a stuffed frog cuddled up to her. The room was dark, she hadn't turned on the lights yet, the moon let a soft glow come in. Just enough to see.
"Hey," she said, her eyes were a little red and puffy.
"Hi," I walked over to her blue comforted bed and sat down, earning a soft springy noise from the mattress. "female troubles?"
She let out a low grumble as her face tinted a little pink. "How'd you guess?"
I laughed, digging the napkin bound muffin I had gotten earlier out of my giant black hole of a purse. I lifted it out smelling all its chocolaty goodness. Really, how could something like this be bad for you? "Oh, you just don't seem like the crying type. Here, you need it more than me." I handed it to her, a few dark crumbs scuttled out from the wrapped present. Her eyes got big as she smiled.
"Sweet I love these!" she grabbed it and took a large bight out of it, then her face darkened and a little watery tear streak down her pale face. Aw poor Karin!
I grabbed her head and put my arms around her, black muffin pieces flying everywhere, just holding her to me. I felt like a mother to her in an odd way. Out of the two opposite girls that made up the Kurosaki twins she was the one I could connect and understand the most. Don't get me wrong, I love Yuzu too, I mean she's an angel! I just got Karin more.
Ichigo on the other hand, that kid, was so easy to read. He was more close to me in age so we got along like brother and sister. And Isshin...
"Ko..." he was certainly something else.
"Ko" I mean did the guy ever shut up?
"Ko!" I get losing your wife and all but don't strangle your kids in love!
"KO!" speaking of strangling... I looked down to find Karin pressed into my boobs, face and all, with her jet black hair all a mess. Poor girl probably couldn't even breathe.
"Sorry! I was thinking." I let her go, she fell backwards onto her bed, arms spread out. Her face red from lack of air and probably embarrassment. I rubbed my head in embarrassment.
"Ko! I need your help down here with a patient." Isshin's loud voice could carry great lengths, and when needing me or Ichigo; the length seemed to never end.
"If you want I can bring something up here for you later." I gave her a warm smile while standing up, the bed once again giving a squeaky noise, and ruffled her hair. Her face scrunched up and she grumbled crossing her arms but still muttered out a little yes as I laughed my way downstairs to help the poor father.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I walked into the small kitchen. It has hardwood flooring, just like the rest of the house, in the winter it never fails to make me even colder. The walls once a white color are now a creamy color. Maybe the age got to the walls, who knows, but it always gives off a warm family feel. In the middle of the room, or in front of the stairway which is where I am, there is a rectangle wood table with six chairs, all made of wood except for a soft pink cushion you sit on. Too the right side of me is the kitchen supplies and the oven where Yuzu is always making something new that smells wonderful. Across from me, behind the table, is a rectangle window with a few flower pots sitting on the ledge. No doubt they are Yuzu's. To my left, and to the tables left, are the cabinets. Also on that wall is a open doorway that leads to the comfy living room.
Father and son where presently sitting at the kitchen table opposite of each other. Ichigo giving Isshin a heated glare while Isshin was looking to me with big watery eyes and his hands held together in some form of plea.
"Ko! What's wrong with Karin!" What a bunch of idiots. I walked over to the table.
"How's it going Ichigo?" I happily took my seat across from him. He turned his glare to his father to an exhausted gaze at me. His maturing looks going from sharp to showing just how tired he actually was as he raised his hand to his face to rub it tiredly.
"Alright, Dad's as annoying as ever though."
"Oh Ichigo! How can you say such rebellious words about your father! Where have I gone wrong?" Isshin stood up tears flying everywhere and ran to the giant picture of his dead wife. I cringed knowing what was coming. This all happened too often... "Masaki! Where have I gone wrong? Our chil-" Ichigo got a tick mark on his head and slammed his hand on the table making a rather loud bang. I could hear the old wood of the table give a little creek of protest from being handled so roughly.
"Shut up, I'm tired!" He yelled. I sighed, rubbing my forehead and pushing my brown bangs out of the way. That apple looked really tasty... On the counter sat a nice basket of red juicy apples just ready to be eaten. I got up and plucked a nice round apple from the basket and sunk my teeth into it earning a slicing sound. I walked up behind the orange headed teenager and ruffled his soft hair. It always amazed me at how soft it was, it was long enough that I could just comb a little of it in-between my fingers.
"Oh is the little strawberry P.M. ?" I asked taking another bight from my apple. I felt Ichigo let out a grunting noise from underneath my hand.
"Little? You're the small one." I played with his hair some more and he leaned back into my hand, letting his broad shoulders droop. I knew he didn't mind me messing with it.
"Yeah but I'm still older." I protested.
"But I'm taller which makes you littler." I stopped playing with his hair and moved to his side so he could see me. I puffed out my cheeks and glared at him. He got a comical look on his face then burst out laughing, hands on his stomach and everything. Fine, laugh at me. Be all mean like that.
Hey, someone's missing.
"Where's Yuzu?" I asked taking my chair back, I continued to munch on my apple. The sniffling doctor looked at me from his current ball on the floor.
"She's at a sleep over at her friend's house..." He sniffled some more. Slamming my hand on the wooden table I let out a cackle. The abuse we put the poor thing through around here…
"You really where dumped tonight weren't you!"
"Ko would you go and tell Ichigo I need his help moving this person down here." Isshin and I were in hospital part of the house and a rather large man came in needing help. I'm normally just a secretary, my skills don't really lie in the medical ways, they lie more in the organization and computer ways.
"K," I gave him a nod and jogged up the little stair way to Ichigo's room. I stopped at his door and gave it a knock. There was light shuffling noises from inside, and a sudden whack. I smiled.
"Come in," Ichigo called from inside, he sounded rather winded. I opened the door slightly amused then shut the door behind me.
Ichigo was laying on his bed reading his book. For anyone this would be normal. That is anyone but him, and the fact that his book was upside down was pretty funny. And it was the newest issue of Chappy the Bunny Weekly. I should know; I got it every week.
"You know, you might find that more enjoyable if you were to actually read in the correct manner" He gave me a questioning stare, "Its upside down Ichigo..." A blush made its way across his normally lightly tanned skin as he sat up putting his book aside. I heard a sigh of annoyance come from the closet beside me as Rukia jumped out. She gave Ichigo a glare her hands on her hips. Her small features stood demanding and her big eyes narrowed.
"Your lucky it's just Ko." Oh she was just so cute and short!
"Rukia, I've missed you!" I grabbed her by her shoulders and gave her a big hug.
"I've missed you too Ko, but your boobs are eating me!" I blushed letting my tiny friend go. She gave me a wheezing look as she straightened her hair out.
Find it a little strange Ichigo had a girl hiding in his closet? Well you're not alone. I freaked out when I walked in on them one day. They had been talking about a hallow that was close by. Yep, I know about those too.
I'm like Ichigo, I can see souls. I started seeing the dead about two years ago. Right when I started working at the Kurosaki clinic. Turns out Ichigo has "High Spiritual Pressure" and some of it leaked out to me. So says his friend Uryuu.
"Your dad wants you." I told Ichigo. He looked from Rukia to me and nodded getting up.
"K," he was about to walk out of the room when he turned around giving me a hard serious look. His brown eyes held a firm stare. "Ko, be careful when your alone. There's been more hallows out lately." I waved him off with my hand.
"Nya, I'm fine. We live so close, wont the Hallows just come to you since you have more spiritual pressure than me?" Rukia stepped forward looking deep in thought. She put a hand to her chin and closed her eyes.
"That would be the case most of the time, but some Hallows find it easier to go for weaker spiritual pressures." she opened her eyes looking at me. I nodded at her, then walked back downstairs.
Where am I? It's so dark, and hot. I was currently standing in the middle of a completely hot, steamy, black void. I could feel my night dress sticking to me, possibly even becoming transparent considering its' light shade of pastel blue. My skin felt clammy and wet even though it was warm. I slowly reached my right hand out to feel around. Nothing. I put both hands out. Nothing again. Quietly something reached its way to my ears. It sounded like, well, you know what. I really didn't know what it sounded like. I strained my eyes to try and see anything. Once again the sound caught my attention. It sounded like water this time... Feet on water. I looked quickly down at my own feet to see water surrounding me slowly, I could see my own reflection in it, my hair was sticking to my face as water dripped down my arms and legs. But I wasn't the one moving. So what was making that sound?
The water by and around my feet began to move, disrupting the once glassy look that it held. Something caught in my peripheral vision, and I quickly looked up to find a man. Well part of one at least. His face and lower half were covered in what seemed to be black smoke. Or mist. His feet were visible showing that he was the one walking. His broad pale shoulders dripped and shined with water. And oh my what a nice six pack he had..! I felt my face heat up along with the rest of my body as the black clouds covering the rest of him slowly, almost mockingly seemed to fade. The man's arms were well toned in muscles, his shoulders showing boldness and strength. His pale skin was a deep contrast to the darkness that surrounded us, and almost gave off the effect that he glowed. I could see the man's chin now, and some long black hair that looked like it'd be so much fun to run your fingers through. My eye's traveled down his body seeing the dark clouds fading to show very tempting promenading hip bones. Slowly they started to fade more unt-
"Ko! Open the door! It's an emergency!" I jumped in my mess of covers, a sheen of sweat on my forehead and back. I sat up quickly glancing around. This better be one good emergency! My hot and sexy dream just went out the window!
I yanked my fluffy green covers off, slipped on my froggy slippers and stomped my way to the door. I tore the door open with a mighty jerk. "What!"
Ichigo stared at me, I could see panic evident in his face. He wore his shinigami uniform. His shoulders where moving up and down and he was panting indicating he'd just been running.
"Rukia ran away!" I sighed itching my crazy bed head hairdo.
"I told you, you'd lose her if you didn't make a move on her," Ichigo gained a stress mark, then grabbed both my upper arms with both of his large calloused hands.
"No, she ran away to protect me! I think she's in danger." Now I was worried. Rukia wasn't weak, but she wasn't strong either. "I'm going out to look for her, can you search around town too? I know it's a lot to ask bu-" I put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm smile, his pleading eyes were just depressing.
"Duh I'll go look, she's my friend. Now what are you standing around here for! Rukia needs you!" I smacked him on his sweaty head. He smiled- his worried eyes becoming confident once again and turned around to leave, but looked back at me with an amused smirk.
"You know next time you answer your door; try not to be wearing just a skimpy night dress. You worry me to much already." I blushed and looked down. Sure enough. Through my lovely rage I had managed to forget I was wearing my silky blue night gown. I sweat dropped then stuck my tongue out at the obstinate substitute shinigami and closed the door.
Dang Rukia why do you have to be so small! She could be hiding anywhere around here.
"Rukia, where are you!" even though I yelled I tried to keep my voice relatively quiet. People where still sleeping after all.
It was dark out, darker than most nights. Tonight there were no stars, and the only bits of the moon I could see where the glows that would sometimes peek out from behind the black mist. Black mist. Huh, that's weird. Just keeps popping up doesn't it.
I walked on a little more, but stopped when I almost fell over a stick. Mean stick, what'd I ever do to it. Not like I was the one chopping down the tree's around here. Tree's are nice, I mean I surely wouldn't be all "Hit me first, but save my tree!" type thing though. That's just stupid. My thoughts of tree hugging weirdo's were halted by a feeling.
I felt something strange. The strange feeling reminded me of Ichigo. It reminded me of his laid back attitude, but also his strong desire to protect. The feeling was coming from the pit of my stomach. I stopped walking, putting my hand on my abdomen and concentrated on the feeling. It had a strange pull to it. It felt as if it was wanting me to fallow it around the corner. My eyes widened as I heard a loud yell of pain, the feeling in my stomach almost disappearing.
I ran forward as fast as I could, letting the pulling in my stomach guide me. I knew that Ichigo was in trouble, I could feel it, but most of all I knew that was Ichigo's yell.
I rounded the corner to see him leaning on his sword with many large cuts. Blood was all over him, some dripping from his broad shoulder to the cold ground. I kept running straight to him. He needed help, and that's all I could think about. Though it was then I realized that a sword was coming towards him. And I was in front of him.
"Stop!" was what I yelled as the sword made impact with my body, my left shoulder to be exact. My mouth fell wide open as I let a scream escape from my body. My eyes were wide. Tears began to make their way to the corners of my eyes as I staggered to keep standing and squinted to keep the pain away.
"Ko!" Ichigo let out a strangled scream from behind me. I looked ahead of me looking for the person who had attacked Ichigo and now me. The man who's sword cut me stared with interest. I almost fell over, but got my balance again as I spread my arms out and stood in front of Ichigo. I winced, the pain in my should was bad. The street light above us flickered as I tried to ignore the soaring pain that I had acquired. His sword had dug in deep and ripped out quickly tearing at my flesh. I too, now dripped crimson blood to the cold grey ground.
"Ko, what are you doing? Run, get out of here!" I recognized that voice, it was Rukia's. She was a few feet away being held by a tall tattooed red head. I winced again taking in a deep breath. I could hear Ichigo start to move behind me a little.
"I came to help look for you. I'm glad I got here in time though…" I winced again. Talking wasn't the smartest idea apparently. I looked back over to the man who had cut me. He was tall, his black hair came to his broad shoulders. His face was handsome, though his emotionless face seemed to be a normal occurrence. Why would you have one now at a time like this if you didn't have it in an actual boring situation.
He was staring at me. Quite hard actually. I felt a shaky hand on my shoulder. I quickly looked back realizing just how bad of condition Ichigo was in. One of his eyes had blood smeared around it, while his hands dripped in crimson that was now mixed with my own.
"Stay behind me," Ichigo pushed me behind him, before I had time to protest, as he tried to hold his sword, his heated glare on the man in front of us never leaving. No way was I going to let him protect me in that shape!
"Ichigo what do you think you're doing? You're in no shape to fight." I tried to talk him out of it. His shoulders started to shake, his grip on his sword hardened as his bloodied knuckles turned white.
"Then who is going to fight? No one! Ishida's already in bad shape and you can't fight them! So that just leaves me!" Ishida? When did he get into this. I horridly looked around and spotted a black and white heap of blood on the ground next to Rukia. Guess he didn't get to far...
"You people of the living are so annoying!" I turned my head and glared at the red head who had just spoke. My yellow eyes narrowing.
"Well excuse me, but what did we do to you?" I asked in anger. How dare he insult us!
"What did you do? Well this st-"
"Renji. I'm growing impatient, were leaving." The dark haired man spoke to this "Renji". He ordered him around it seemed.
"Yes Captain." And he seemed to listen. The dark haired "Captain" approached us. Slowly at first, but disappeared and reappeared in front of me. I watched in horror, it seemed like slow motion, as Ichigo fell forward leaking blood everywhere. I looked to the man in front of me, eye's wild with rage and pain. I lifted my hands getting ready to rip into him.
"What did you do to him! You killed him! You killed him! I'm goin-"
"He's not dead" and those three lovely words were all that I was left with as my world turned black.
Well, after many attempts at uploading this and failed attempts at editing it while its being uploaded, I've finally got it perfect! O-o Sort of... Anyway, sorry if it is slow moving at first. I'm trying to flesh the characters out and really grasp their feelings. Please leave some comments, I read every one of them. ^-^