Not going to actually start working on this until The Stranger and Lights, Camera, Action! are done, but here's a sneak preview of what I want to work on next. ;)
Ichigo sighed and wiped his brow, grimacing in disgust when his palm came away wet. He was sweating like a pig in his stifling outfit, but, unfortunately, he didn't have a choice in his attire. Only one week into his stint as a substitute teacher at his old elementary school, he'd already developed a whole new level of hatred for long-sleeved shirts and ties. The ceiling fan, a rickety old thing that swayed dangerously above him, was damn near useless. As if that's not bad enough, he had to wade through piles of barely-legible homework, all written by children who were more interested in doodling on paper than spelling.
One child in particular was especially difficult. Blessed with a head of bubblegum pink hair, Yachiru was the worst combination of innocent curiosity, boredom, and boundless energy. It took all of Ichigo's self control not to tie her up and stuff her into the nearest closet, if only just to have one minute of relief from her shrill, giggly voice.
And now, as he stared at the drawing of a rainbow-colored cat that covered the entire page of Yachiru's workbook, Ichigo let out a groan. He couldn't take this anymore; it was time to summon the girl's father.
"I can do this," Ichigo muttered under his breath as he straightened his tie.
He puffed out his chest and schooled his features into a scowl. He usually toned it down for the kids, but he had been warned by other teachers that Yachiru's father was not the most pleasant man to deal with, so he figured he should be prepared for the worst.
And what could be a better defense than showing the man his trademark "don't-fuck-with-me" expression?
Once he was satisfied that he looked stern, confident, and manly enough, he left the restroom and went back to his desk, where he sat down to wait for the arrival of Yachiru's parent. He didn't have to wait for long before the girl's familiar, high-pitched voice rang in the hallway. Ichigo felt the vein in his forehead tick, his blood pressure rising from the ear-piercing sound alone. Seriously, the child had a pair of lungs fit for an elephant.
"Fucking hell. Look where you're going, will you?" Someone said gruffly in the hallway.
Ichigo frowned as a pang of deja vu fleeted through his mind, but his attempt to pursue that line of thought was cut short immediately when Yachiru burst into the staff room, giggling as she went. Ichigo glared at the girl, who promptly flashed him a million-dollar smile as if she wasn't in trouble.
"Yachiru-" Ichigo began in exasperation, but whatever admonishment he was going to dish out next died in his throat as soon as another figure stepped through the doorway.
Blue.
To be continued!
I'm sure you had no problem figuring out that this is a sequel of Fantasy. ;) So...anyone interested for more?