Thanks to all those who reviewed my first chapter. Especially the first three reviewers: Sage of Downtown Hyrule, Mapo and Narukaze. Your encouragements made this chapter possible. Anyway, let's get started with this chapter, remembering the most important part: to have fun. : )
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Chapter Two
Ichigo's tuna sandwiches were getting soggy after being left untouched since lunch time had began. He was reflecting on the morning's events, and the annoying sound of Keigo's crude chewing wasn't helping.
"Oi chichigoo, wov's oh yoh ma?" Keigo's mouth was stuffed with potato chips and trying to talk sent salivary pieces of chips flying into Ichigo's face.
"Idiot!" Ichigo grumbled and clasped his hand around his friend's mouth, "Don't do that! Sensible bites!"
Keigo swallowed and pushed Ichigo's hand back, "What are you, my sister? I said: what's on your mind?"
Ichigo ignored him and turned his attention to the scenery below the balcony they usually had lunch on, only half listening to Keigo's babbling. The dull roar produced by the students downstairs completed his favorite thinking environment, along with the cold sunshine and fresh breeze that always seemed to follow rainy days. His thoughts returned to all that had happened in the morning.
He'd dreaded meeting Inoue all morning but it didn't turn out as bad as his sense of imagination had frequently depicted.
"Good morning, Ichigo-kun." she'd greeted him after bumping into him whilst entering the class. The overly cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by an uncommonly solemn attitude.
"Inoue..." he hadn't been sure what to say. Had he done this to her? "You look kinda down." he'd finally remarked weakly.
"Do I?" Inoue had said, forcing on a smile, "I'm just tired is all. I didn't have much sleep."
Ichigo had scratched the back of his head, trying to think of something...anything, to say. He'd almost asked her why she hadn't gotten enough sleep but then again, things were bad enough as they were.
"So...later?"
Inoue'd nodded, "Later."
And they'd parted.
That meeting alone was starting to get to Ichigo, making him wonder if he hadn't some how destroyed the relationship, feeble as it was, between them. But that wasn't what was bothering him the most. That morning, another student had been introduced to the class.
"He's a transfer student from Okinawa." said Ochi-sensei after a quick glance at the report she had in her hand.
The new student bowed politely, "I am Yamamoto Ichigo, nice to meet you all." Yamamoto's blond hair fell gently to his shoulders beautifully complementing his navy blue eyes. His strong set facial features and well built body gave him an athletic appearance. He looked gentle and easy going. And when he looked up from the bow and flashed a shy grin, revealing a perfect set of milky white teeth, half of the girls in the class just about died. The class was filled with delighted squeals as he took a seat beside Orihime.
Yamamoto Ichigo?, Ichigo thought, Guess I'm not the only one with a dad brain damaged enough to name is son Ichigo
None of the girls really noticed that there were now two 'Ichigo's in their class. They were too busy ogling the new guy.
The first time Ichigo noticed Yamamoto staring at Inoue, he thought, Hmmm...he must like Inoue. That's nice.
During the math period, Yamamoto was still staring at Inoue. Oh-kay, he's overdoing it a little. Hasn't Ochi-sensei noticed?
Thirty minutes to Lunch time, he was still staring at Inoue. At his point, Ichigo wouldn't have been surprised if he'd been told that a psychic five miles away had been able to hear his mental screaming, GET YOUR EYES OFF HER YOU HORNY BASTARD! QUIT STARING, DAMMIT!! HAVE YOU NO SHAME!!?
Now as the wind played with Ichigo's hair, he asked himself why he'd been bothered by Yamamoto's staring. The guy had just been staring, after all. It's not like he'd been kissing her or anything. And even if he had, why did he care. He was Mr. Indifferent, wasn't he?
Because you care about her, came a whispered accusation in his thoughts.
"Bullshit!" he answered back, standing up. "I'm perfectly happy on my own!"
"Uh...Ichigo, are you talking to yourself?" Keigo questioned, staring at his friend like he might whip out an axe any minute and start hacking him.
Oops. He hadn't realized he'd been thinking aloud.
"Don't give me that look!" Ichigo grumbled, kicking at his friend playfully.
"Where're you going?"
"Downstairs. I'm not hungry."
Keigo stood up too, brushing potato particles off his pants. "Okay. I've gotta go find Mizuiro anyway." He suddenly froze, something catching his eye.
"Hey, is that your namesake with Inoue?"
Yamamoto?
"Don't call him that! You make it sound like we're related or something." Ichigo mumbled, turning to look in the same direction.
What the...?
Under a tree below them, Inoue and Yamamoto were talking. They were barely audible from where Ichigo was standing but Ichigo's mind was delighted to give him a few suggestions on what the conversation was probably about.
I love you Inoue, won't you marry me? And then have babies with me?
Oh, Yamamoto-kun! You're so strong and handsome, not like that other Ichigo who peeks at ladies when they're in the bathroom.
Then marry me, Inoue!
Okay, I will!
Shit.
"Ichigo...?" Keigo hadn't noticed his friend walking away, hands pocketed.
Hmmm...was Ichigo jealous?, Keigo mused.
The leaves on the tree rustled gently as another breath of air gently caressed them, occasionally causing a leaf or two to let go of their branch and float down around the two students in sleepy bliss.
Yamamoto and Inoue had been chatting under the tree since lunch time began. When Yamamoto had first approached Inoue with a "Mind if I sit down?", Inoue had wondered what his real intentions were. She'd noticed his staring in class, and had felt very uncomfortable. She'd hardly grasped any of what the teacher had been trying her best to explain during the math lesson. Originally, Inoue had planned on spending time alone and she'd told the girls including Tatsuki before coming all the way out here. But gradually Yamamoto proved to be great company, taking her mind off everything that had happened between Ichigo and her. And when one of Yamamoto jokes finally brought a smile to her lips, Yamamoto commented, "Ah! The corners of your mouth turn upwards after all!"
At this, Inoue actually laughed.
Yamamoto grinned, staring at her. Inoue stared back for a while before disconnecting their eye contact and idly studying her finger nails, embarrassed.
"You should laugh more often, you have a beautiful laugh."
Inoue smiled and tried to ignore the gentle tone with which he'd spoken, "I'm not like this, you know."
"So I heard. Why're you so down?"
The question she'd been hoping to avoid.
"Oh it's nothing really. Nothing a few days of keeping my mind on other things won't fix."
Silence. They sat there for about five minutes, neither saying anything, just enjoying each others company.
Then out of the blue Yamamoto said, "You know, when it comes to matters of the heart, understanding the basics helps."
Huh? Inoue's head, as if under control, turned to meet his meaningful gaze. And as she stared into his eyes, she felt naked. Almost like he was seeing into her soul.
He continued, "The heart of the soul. Made out of beautiful transparent glass. It shatters easily, and takes forever to heal."
Inoue listened, unable to take her eyes of his. Was she under a spell?
"And every time you love somebody, you give him your heart. It's his to protect or carelessly destroy. But no matter how badly a heart is cracked, Inoue-san..." Here he paused and with his thumb and index finger, gently lifted up Inoue's face by her chin, "...it can always be mended by another."
The staring continued for a while and at a point Inoue was afraid he was about to kiss her. But he didn't, instead he turned his eyes away and said, "Tatsuki-san, nice of you to join us."
Tatsuki?
Inoue turned to see Tatsuki standing before them, grinning like a cheshire cat. "Well, well Inoue. I thought you wanted to be alone."
Inoue started to explain but Tatsuki cut her off with an amused sniff, "I only wanted to tell you I'd gotten an idea for your date. But..." She turned her attention to Yamamoto, "...I see you're already one step ahead of me."
"Date?" Yamamoto looked at Inoue, confused.
"Uh...well you see..." Inoue began.
"She wants you to go with her to the Cold Bacon concert this Saturday." Tatsuki interrupted, making Inoue blush from embarrassment.
"Tatsuki...don't be so straightforward." Inoue whined softly.
They both looked at Yamamoto, who seemed to be considering it.
Tatsuki didn't think there was anything to consider and was already impatient, "Well?"
Yamamoto looked up...
Ichigo run all the way downstairs and out of the school. He had to catch up with Inoue. What had she said on the phone?
...next time you should walk with me...
Well, he would. And while they talked about whatever they would talk about he'd casually insert, "By the way Inoue, if you haven't found anyone to go with to the concert, I'd like to go with you. If you don't mind." Yeah, that was perfect! That way he wouldn't seem too desperate or anything. He wasn't sure why he'd changed his mind, he'd just changed it. He ignored his mind telling him, Probably has something to do with the new guy. He'd just changed his mind. End of story. Sometimes minds changed, plans changed...and all that crap. Shit! Why was his thinking so messed up?
He spotted Inoue coming out of an ice cream shop, "Inoue! Wait up!"
Inoue stopped. She knew that voice.
"Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo stopped right in front of her and bent over, trying to catch his breath. Damn! He hadn't realized he'd been running that fast.
When he finally stood up again, he saw Inoue waiting patiently for him. Her hair glowed a fiery orange hue against the sunset, like hot coals on a winter night. Her skin, flawless, contrasted her hair perfecting the beautiful aura that surrounded her. Ichigo hadn't come to admire this girl but for a moment, couldn't help being rendered speechless.
"Kurosaki..."
"Sorry." Ichigo laughed nervously, "I kinda...uh...just forget it." What am I doing!?
All previous planning seemed useless now so he blurted out why he'd come after her, feeling like a complete idiot, "I changed my mind. I'll go with you...to the concert I mean...I'll go with you, if you'll let me."
Inoue hung her head slowly, "I'm...I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun."
Huh? This wasn't in the script.
"I'm going with Yamamoto-kun."
Ichigo was struck dumb.
"Thanks for the offer though..."
No, no, no, this was definitely not in the script. Inoue...
"Good night" and with that, she turned and walked away.
Ichigo stared after her, not sure what had just happened. Yamamoto? The new guy? So soon? How had that happened!?
The boy was left there alone, stunned. Around him, kids on bicycles rode by and storekeepers prepared to close up. The sky gradually began to get dark and houses began to light up. The world might as well have just ended, because he wouldn't have noticed a damn thing. To Kurosaki Ichigo, time had just stopped, and it was mocking him.
It was quite dark before Ichigo finally turned back and headed for home.
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End of Chapter Two. Damn, this Yamamoto guy is smooth! I wonder if he's free tomorrow...whatever! REVIEWS PLEASE! Did you enjoy this chapter. D'you have any advice for me. I'm all ears. COME'ON! Reviews make it so much easier to continue the fic! So, pretty please! Oh...and watch out for chapter 3! I'll upload it when i'm done with it. But for now, I've gotta run. Thanks! Peace. I'm out.