Yo! Eh…Alright, gimme that look all you want. I know I haven't been doing anything. That's because I seem to despise my little writing technique. You see, my technique is very hard…I start a FanFiction…AND IT NEVER ENDS! XD I'm horrible at ending stories the way I want it to. Not to mention kicking them off with the right details. O.O
Well, anyway, I'm listening to the backstage videos of the Bleach Musical "Live Bankai Show." It's what inspired me to write this. o///o I am eating these really cool Skittles, they're called "Fizzl'd Fruits." xD Figured I'd share. Alright, enjoy! :]
THIS STORY IS IN ICHIGO'S POV.
Chapter One: Privacy
My eyes sunk to the paper that was placed before me. It was an essay I'd written about three weeks ago, and the grade I was given, definitely not something to be smiled upon. I gave a quick glance at the teacher, whom was busily writing today's agenda on the chalkboard, and narrowed my eyes just enough to send my anger through her. I took my time getting my things out, and used the opportunity to look around the room.
Orehime seemed to have gotten a decent grade; she wasn't smiling nor frowning upon her paper. Tatsuki looked frustrated, which spoke for itself on what she was given. I turned my neck a little to see a few other students, some smiling, some scowling, one tearing up, and then my eyes fell upon Rukia, whom was sitting in the desk beside me. I studied her longer than I did the others, she was completely focused on the book in her small hands, and it didn't look like she even noticed her assignment. I smirked to myself, wishing that I could have been able to ignore my paper, and opened my book-bag to grab a pencil and my notebook.
I scribbled down a few things that I saw on the board, and watched as the teacher pulled a TV into the room. She announced that we needed to get out some notebook paper and a pencil, and take notes from the program we were about to see. She also made it clear to us that it was a main source of information for the upcoming Final. Hearing this made me sigh, thankfully quietly.
Boredom spread across the room within seconds after the program started. It was some stupid documentary of some time in history about a couple dead dudes on the Oregon Trail. I mean, really, who wants to know about this crap? I crossed my arms on my desk and rested my head on them, closing my eyes. I waited a few moments before opening them again, and when I did, I noticed that Rukia hadn't looked up from her book since I'd last looked at her. This was a little weird. Rukia always made sure to pay attention in class, in fact, she was extremely paranoid about it. I remembered all the times she lectured me publically about not doing my homework, and the thought of it forced a slight frown onto my face. My eyes focused on her a little longer before I reached my arm over to hers, and poked it.
"You do realize you're supposed to be watching this and taking notes, right?" I whispered, taking note that I had startled her a bit. She looked at me for a moment, her blue eyes flying through different emotions, as if she was trying to think of something to say. Quickly, she responded with a harsh whisper.
"Of course I do, fool! What do you think I am? Stupid?"
"Shut up! I was just trying to keep you out of trouble!"
"I don't need your help! I wouldn't need your help even if was the only thing keeping me alive!"
"Oh yeah?!" I gritted my teeth, my head now raised.
"Don't give me that look!"
"I'll give it to you if I want!"
"And what gives you the right?!" We both were gradually facing each other, oblivious to the fact that the TV had been paused.
"Ichigo, Rukia, please go settle your issues elsewhere." My attention turned to the teacher, who was as casual as usual with the never dying smile that irritated the piss outta me. The class fell silent, every face watching Rukia and I as we stood up and headed for the door, growling and throwing comments back and forth as we went.
I leaned against the wall beside the door to the classroom, my eyes closed as I thought about how stupid that was. I felt Rukia's shoulder against my arm as we both exchanged glances. (She's hella short. Jesus…)
"Look," she started, sighing and resting her head back against the wall, "I know you were just looking out for me and all, but don't worry about it. If I get a bad grade, it doesn't matter, and it shouldn't matter to you."
"Why shouldn't it? I mean, you're always so paranoid about your grades. What's with the sudden change in attitude?" I folded my arms and watched her eyes scan the floor.
"I just feel that since, you know, I'm not going to need a…whatever you get for participating in this place, that it shouldn't really matter anymore if I get good or bad grades." She brought her gaze back up to mine, and I smirked.
"That's believable to me. And that's the real reason?" I blinked and my smirk fell when she lowered her head again, but it soon rose once more before she responded.
"Yeah, that's the real reason."
We stood like that for a few more seconds. It was calm and quiet in the hallways, something that I always enjoyed for some reason. I guessed it was because my life was so hectic all the time that I've grown to like the peace in silence. All that I could hear was Rukia's gentle breathing, and the faint sound of that damned program in the wall behind me; which reminded me why we were even out here in the first place.
"Rukia." I looked in the direction opposite of her, and I'm pretty sure I heard someone inside the classroom yell something about the two guys and Yaoi.
"What?"
"I've been wondering since the beginning of class, what about that book that you're reading is so important? You didn't even acknowledge the essay you were given back."
"Nothing! It was nothing!" Her answer was sharp, not to mention louder than the softer, gentler voice she was using before.
My eyes widened a little before I responded with, "Well, it sure looked like something to me. I know you like books, but you never have been so ignorant in class because of one."
"It was nothing, Ichigo!" She repeated and turned her whole body to face me, and she made it too hard not to smirk at her posture.
"Ooh, defensive, are we? So what is it? Don't tell me you're reading sexual books." My smirk turned into a smile as the color in her cheeks turned to a light crimson. She landed a punch on my arm, but I could tell she held back.
"No! You idiot! And what I read is none of your business!" After that sharp reply, she spun around with her arms crossed, giving the "I'm right and that's that" sign.
"Alright, alright. Sheesh." I glanced at the door before saying one more thing to the fuming brunette, "When you're ready, you should come back inside." And with that, I opened the door and left the Midget Shinigami behind.
The walk home was the same as usual. Orehime tagged along for a little while and gave me a…actually now that I look at it, I have no idea what the hell it is. She said it was her homemade rice balls but…is that…bean paste? Anyway, she parted ways with me and hugged Rukia goodbye, then we continued on home. Rukia didn't bring up what had happened today in first period, (A/N: I don't know if that's his first period, or his third, or whatever, so it's his first period from now on. xD) in fact, she acted as if it never happened. I tried my best to respect her wishes and not bug her about what she was reading, but god the temptation killed me. I continued to stare at her bag while trying to compute her rambles about her Gikongan, and the fact that she couldn't swallow one the other day and it tasted horrible.
"And then it got stuck to the top of my mouth, and it tasted like shit. And then…Oi, Ichigo, are you even listening?" I felt a small hand tug my sleeve, and we locked into a sudden stare.
"Yeah, uh, in a truck you found a mouse, and it was wasted like shit."
I received a fine smack to the ribs for this. It wasn't that I didn't expect it; it just hurt like a bitch. Man, this woman is hell trapped in a Gigai, I'm tellin' ya.
"No, wrong answer, you idiot! Now I gotta tell you all over again!"
The rest of the walk was like this, although I was careful to listen to her this time.
Once we arrived home, I heard my dad kick off the ground, and when I glanced in the sound's direction I saw a flying figure heading in Rukia's direction. Swiftly, I gripped her sleeve and pulled her in my direction, two whole inches until part of her back was against me, and my dad went flying past us. I didn't feel one bit of pity when I turned my head and viewed his wounded form smashed against the wall.
"Dammit, Dad! How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that every time we walk into the house?" I let go of Rukia's sleeve, enjoying the boost in my ego.
"He's a lost cause, Ichigo." She hadn't moved away from the position I left her in, and I could feel the warmth emanating from her petite body.
"Yeah, you're right." I gently nudged her shoulder as a gesture to move forward, "Come on. Let's go upstairs."
As soon as Rukia had moved, I followed behind her, waving to my sisters in the kitchen. When we reached my room, she headed for my sisters' room. As her hand touched the knob, I stopped her.
"Rukia, are you coming?"
"I just need to set my stuff down. I'll be there in a minute." Without hesitation, she pushed forward and closed the door behind her.
I shrugged and continued into my bedroom, leaving the door slightly cracked open for when Rukia returned. My bed looked inviting as I threw my bag aside and walked towards it, feeling relaxed when I crashed down onto the soft blanket. I noticed Kon asleep on my desk chair, one of his paws had a blue stain on it. I peered over the edge of the desk to see he had been coloring in one of the coloring books Rukia had given him for Christmas last year. I thought it was a predictable gift, coming from the girl who loves to draw anything she can visualize. I pushed up off the bed and leaned down to look at what he did. It was very sloppy, to say the least, but I can't imagine that it's easy to color when you're a plush toy the size of a basketball. Once I fell back down into the sheets, I heard the sound of steps as the door to my room slowly opened. Rukia entered casually, closing the door behind her as she stretched, letting out a sigh of satisfaction when she was finished.
"Going to sleep already, Ichigo?" I felt her sea-blue eyes wash over me, and I smirked as a result.
"No. Anyway, you should come see what Kon did while we were gone." I gestured at the desk, watching as the short Shinigami made her way toward the desk. She stood there for a second, and from what it looked like, she was admiring the plush's attempt at artwork. She picked up an uncapped blue marker, and scanned the room for the lid. I pointed at the floor beside one of the chair legs, and watched her pick it up. She glanced at me before turning her attention to the marker.
"He tried. He isn't very good at it, and he knew others would see it, but he tried..." Her eyes seemed to have locked on the colored mess, and she became lost in a daze. I waited for a second before calling her name. She snapped out of her thoughts, but she didn't look at me. She just mumbled something under her breath and left the room. I thought she might come back, but after a few minutes of waiting, she didn't return.
"That was weird. Wonder what's up with her."
Ah, yes! I think my separation of the characters' individual plotlines and characteristics is going to work! This chapter ended just as I wanted it to. (For once)
Ichigo: So, what happened to your obsession, NejiTenLuva?
NTL: Huh?
Rukia: You used to be crazy for NejiTen, I mean, look at your username.
NTL: Oh, yeah. I guess I kinda forgot about them. o-o
Ichigo: Yeah, we are cooler so it's only natural.
NTL: Wrong. Rukia is the one who kept me watching. ^-^ *hugs Rukia*
Rukia: Aw. Thanks NTL. ^-^
Ichigo: O.o Did I ever encourage you?
NTL: Hell no, you're so boring all the time. Rukia is just awesome!
Rukia: *ego building up*:]
Ichigo: Tch. Whatever…
Hope you enjoyed! Review and tell me if this is a good start, I appreciate all thoughts, and I'd like criticism, if that's alright. But please don't base your criticism on my pairing choice, lack of humor (since I fail at humor, even though I'm like, beast at being funny in person), or my storyline. If it's a suggestion, then I'd be happy to take them through a Personal Message (So others don't see ;] ). Thank you for your time! And I hope you stay with me until the end of this story! (Wow, I totally felt like I was writing a love letter to you guys. xD…see? Add that to my list of humor fails. -.- )