Ichigo stepped out onto the schoolyard blacktop and glanced up a the afternoon sky. Though his were fixed on the vast blue above, his mind was elsewhere. It had been a long day, one of those days that made him wonder if it was all worth it. The whole week ahd been like that... No, the whole month... Each day seemed longer than the one before it, blurring into an obscure mass of seemingly wasted time. He felt... tired. Worn... Thin, like butter spread over too much bread. And worst of all, there didn't seem to be an end in sight.
Ichigo: (sighing) Damn I beat.
Rukia: (suddenly from behind) No time for "beating," Ichigo. We have an order.
Ichigo jumped back, startled. How had she slipped up behind him like that?
Ichigo: (flustered) What! Now!
Rukia: (hurrying off down the street) Yes, Now! Come on, we haven't got time to waste and chit-chat...
Ichigo: (deflated) "Chit-chat...?"
Deciding not to dwell on it, Ichigo shrugged off her last comment and ran to catch up. It had been like this fore months; the vicious cycle. It seemed like more of a hastle as time went on. With every order, he felt more and more like he was trapped on a hampsetr wheel. Had it always been like this? Had he always been this unhappy? He truly wondered.
After dealing with the less-than-impressive hollow, Rukia treated Ichigo to an ice cream soda. As they sat at the counter of the parlor waiting for their icream, Ichigo turned to Rukia.
Ichigo: How did you get the money for this anyway?
Rukia: (beaming with pride) I'm a part-timer!
Ichigo: You work! Since when!
Rukia: (smirking) Why, are you interested...?
Ichigo: (scowling) No...
Rukia: Then why'd you ask? (grinning slyly) You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think you had a crush on me...
Ichigo: WHAT! HELL NO!
Rukia: (snickering) Heh heh...
Instead of stabbing back at her with his usual quip. Ichigo slumped on the stool and stared thoughtfully down at the counter. Rukia's smile faded. The man behind the counter placed a chocoloate soda in front of Rukia and an orange one near Ichigo.
Rukia: (frowning) You know, you've been acting strangely all week, Ichigo...
At first Ichigo tried to ignore her. then it struck him that it was rare that she ever showed interest in his problems. Maybe it was time he tried to connect with her on some level.
Ichigo: I've just been having a rough time... Between soul reaping and school, I just... I feel...
Rukia: (finishing for him) ...Trapped...
Ichigo's eyes went wide with surprise. She DID understand. He watched her expectantly as she spooned a bit of ice cream into her mouth.
Rukia: (solemnly) I'm sorry that I don't have any words of comfort for you, Ichigo. This is the life of soul reaper... Hate it or love it, this is your life. You have a lot of power and with great power comes great responsibility...
Ichigo: (bitterly) I know, I know...
Rukia: (a-matter-fo-factly) Good. Now eat your ice cream before it melts...
He knew it was useless to argue. With a sigh, he picked up his spoon and began to eat. The sweet taste of the confectionary treat was nothign compared to the biting cold that filled him.
Ichigo "Strawberry" Kurosaki:
15 years old
Hair: Orange
Eyes: Brown
Occupation: High School Student/Soul Reaper