The next day was an early start for Ichigo as he had to be the one to help Allen and Road register for classes at their school so that he could keep an eye on them. Forcefully, Ichigo got up from his bed and got dressed. Eyes half open he made his way down stairs to the smell of something cooking, 'Mmm, something smells good.' Ichigo thought to himself. In the kitchen he was greeted by a plate of bacon, an egg omelet, and some orange juice. He sat down and began eat, waking him up completely making him remember that Yuzu wasn't home. "Who cooked?" he asked himself.
"I did." Ichigo was surprised by Rukia sitting down next to him. "So what do you think?" she asked.
"Its...actually good!" Ichigo replied while tasting his breakfast again to make sure he wasn't dreaming, "When did your cooking get better? I remember the first time you cooked, I thought we were going to have to call in a radiation team or something!"
Rukia glared at him, ready to punch him in the face, "I was not that bad of a cook! As for when I got better...well...I'm not sure, one day I just got the hang of it."
Road awoke to find Allen asleep in a chair next to the bed, still holding her hand. She tried to recall what led to this last night. Allen began to stir, quickly Road faked being asleep and Allen lifted his head to see Road 'asleep'. "Well better get up," Allen said lightly shaking Road awake, "Come on, Road. Ichigo said we were going to be registered at his school." Road nodded and got out of the bed.
The four of them left the house and were about halfway to the school, Allen and Road were talking along the way about wether or not they should find out how the war ended, while Ichigo and Rukia walked in silence unconsciously holding hands. "So, how far are we going to walk?" Road asked, "Its been almost fifteen minutes!" Allen turned to Road.
"I'm sure we're almost there." Allen replied turning to look at Ichigo.
"Yep," Ichigo replied, "Look ahead." A large building came into view and students began to increase in number. Ichigo saw two familiar girls, "Hey! Tatsuki! Orihime!" Both girls turned ad were about to wave hi but stopped. The four approached them and saw they had shocked faces, "What's wrong?"
"Ichigo..." Orihime began, she looked like she was about to break.
"So...when did you come back Rukia?" Tatsuki cut in, she had a nervous look on her face.
"Uhh...yesterday." Rukia replied unsure of what to make of their nervousness.
"Yeah, you should have seen it!" Road cut in, "She came out of a box that was mailed to Ichigo and then she was all over him!"
"ROAD!" Rukia shouted blushing heavily.
"Road you were asleep, I'm sure that's not really how it happened." Allen commented. Orihime couldn't take anymore and began to cry, running through between Rukia and Ichigo breaking their hold. That's when Rukia realized she was holding Ichigo's hand, the reason for their nervousness hit her like a bucket of bricks.
"Ichigo..." Rukia's soft voice caught his attention. Ichigo looked down and had the same reaction as Rukia.
"Orihime!" Tatsuki called out failing to stop her. "Couldn't you two have been a little more subtle? Rukia, you knew Orihime like Ichigo, how could you?" Rukia was at a loss for words.
"We feel the same way about each other Tatsuki," Ichigo cut in, "I wasn't about to let Orihime to be in a relationship that was based on a lie." He grabbed Rukia's hand and she felt her sadness lift a little.
"I'll go calm her down, see you in class i guess..." Tatsuki ran in the direction she last saw Orihime.
"Sooo...uhh, where do we go now?" Allen asked nervously attempting to change the subject.
"Get you into the school so we can make sure that you don't do anything destructive while we aren't there." Ichigo replied.
They went to registration and spent two hours getting things straight with the employees and the principle of the school. Finally, after another thirty minutes they were on their way to class.
"Alright, you no the drill, no killing other students." Ichigo's comment directed at Road.
"Oh, come on," Road whined, "What's a little harm done when you don't know the person?"
"Road, you promised not to kill anyone." Road looked at Allen with surprise. Allen mentally punched himself in the face. 'Damn it!' he thought, 'She was sleeping when she said that!'
"I never said that." Road replied. 'Not that I remember,' she thought to herself, '...wait was that dream I had last night? SHIT! I talk in my sleep! ...AND ALLEN HEARD ME!?' Road was utterly shocked, but then a thought came to her and a smile appeared on her face, "Oh, now I remember, but do you remember why I made that promise, Allen?"
'Whew, and here I thought she was going to kill me for overhearing her in her sleep.' Allen thought while taking Road's hand in his and replying, "Yep."
"If you're done with your moment now, we're here." Rukia scowled playfully, imitading Ichigo.
"ICHIGO BUDDY!" Ichigo stuck out his foot to prevent Keigo from hugging him. "Why are you so mean to your friend Ichigo?" Keigo asked with tears comically falling from his eyes. He turned to see Rukia and his face changed to one of immense happiness, "Rukia my sweet, you're ba-" Ichigo slammed his book into Keigo's face.
"Its good to see you and all Keigo," Ichigo commented, "but if you call Rukia 'your sweet' ever again, I'm going to have to rip your head off." Keigo was slow to register this and was about to shout out his realization when someone else beat him to it.
"You two are going out?" asked Ishida, "How long?"
"Just started." Rukia replied with a smile.
"How'd...Orihime...take it?" Ishida asked. As if on cue, Orihime walked into the class room avoiding everyone, even Taksuki who was trying to cheer her up. Ishida did the only thing he could think of and went to sit next to Orihime. He placed his arm around her and brought her close. Surprisingly, Orihime didn't try to push him away, instead she buried her face into his chest and began to cry.
The class room was awkwardly quiet until the teacher walked in and everyone began to take their seats and talk as if nothing happened. Orihime thanked Ishida and gave him a kiss on the cheek before going to her seat. Ishida was stunned for a moment but quickly regained himself and took his seat.
"So students," the teacher began, "We appear to have two late registering students, would you please come up and introduce yourselves?" Allen and Road approached the front of the room. One of the guys thought it would be funny to tip Road's skirt as she passed by. Bad decision, however it was Road who was left with the most shock. Before she was able to choke the guy, Allen grabbed the guy's head and slammed it hard on his desk.
"Try that again...I dare you to!" Allen whispered to the guy with a vicious voice that Road never knew was possible for him. Allen took Road's hand and led her to the front of the room, intimidating other guys on the way.
"So, uhh..ladies first." the teacher commented.
"I guess, anyway my name is Road Camelot and as you saw I'm Allen's girlfriend." Road's face became dark and menacing, "and if any of you girls try to get close to him, I will haunt your dreams...Literally." Her voice sent chills down not just the girls spine, but the guys too. "So," Road continued, her voice changing to an innocent one, "Any questions?"
A girl shakily raised her hand. Road nodded for her to ask her question, "So... what do you like to do?" asked the girl, feeling she may regret her question.
Road faked thinking for a minute, "Well, I like candy, dangerous things, tourturing others, gore, poking dead things, and of course Allen!" Road finished smiling.
One guy burst out laughing, "Yeah right, and I like ponies and Unicorns." Everyone began to laugh at his joke.
Allen began to laugh and then slowly dropping to a serious tone as he said, "Yeah, haha, she's not joking." This made every student nervous.
"Uhh...why don't you introduce yourself Mr. uhh...Walker?" the teacher commented in an attempt to change the subject.
"Sure," Allen responded, "My name's Allen Walker, I'm actually a nice guy, so if you want to get to know me then go right ahead and ask questions."
"Yeah, dude, what happened to your eye?" one of the students asked.
"Uhh...well, I can't really explain that...lets just say I happened to make a terrible decision at the time..." Road could feel Allen's usual excitement drop.
"Hey, why do you wear a glove on one hand?" Another student asked.
"Let's just say I got into and accident around the same time I hurt my eye and...leave it at that." Allen replied.
"So, anymore annoying questions? You'd think people would want to know something about someone that isn't looks." Road commented.
"Yeah, then answer one last annoying question," one of the students commented, "Whats on your forehead? Paint, eyeliner, what?"
"Scars." Road replied. The room fell silent, "Don't ask." Road added.
"One last question, sorry if its annoying, but is that your natural hair color?" asked one of the girls.
"It is." Allen replied.
"Dude," one guy commented, "That is so cool! Its way better than Ichigo's!"
"Hey!" Ichigo started, "Since when has there been a contest for the coolest hair?"
"Since now, and you're second!" the guy replied.
"Ok, settle down." the teacher interrupted, "Thanks to the new students, we missed the entire class, you are dismissed for lunch." Cheers erupted from the class and everyone made their way out.
"What's for lunch?" Allen asked.
"Something outside of school, I'm buying!" Keigo responded.
"Biggest mistake of his life." Road whispered to Rukia.
"Why's that?" she asked.
"Allen is...not normal when it comes to food." Road replied, "He can eat enough to feed twenty people!"
"Then this'll be fun." Rukia turned to Ichigo and was about to ask something when he cut her off.
"Hey, umm...how long are you going to stay here?" He asked. Rukia couldn't help but feel insulted.
"Why!?" She asked sharply, "Are you feeling bad for Orihime!? You want out already!?"
"What!? N-no! I meant because of the Soul Society, you know, with your place as Captain and all."
"Oh..." Rukia turned away from Ichigo, embarrassed that she overreacted, but she didn't show it for the sake of her pride. Ichigo came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist in a comforting hug.
"I know you're sorry." He whispered with a small smile.
"Just because you're my boyfriend." Rukia responded, "And for your question...I actually was given the chance to stay with you, but I had to give up my position as Captain."
"Oh...sorry." Ichigo felt a little guilty about making her lose such a high rank.
"Don't be, I get to stay with you, and still do our job." Rukia replied, "Speaking of which...Its been quiet don't you think?" Ichigo thought for a moment. While It is true that he was sending off Hollows almost nonstop the last week, things did settle this week.
"Strange." he said to himself.
"FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!?" Keigo shouted beyond shock, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU GUYS ORDER!?"
"Allen?" Road asked. All eyes fell on Allen's seat which had a mountain of empty plates that, amazingly, no one had noticed.
"Uhh...I can pay you back." Allen responded nervously.
"How?" Rukia asked. Allen went to the middle of the restaurant.
"Excuse me." Everyone in there turned to see Allen, "I'd like to propose a challenge, to those willing to accept, I will personally pay your meals with no regret if you beat me in a simple game of poker. However, should I win, the participants will combine to pay for my meal, any one up to it?" There was silence for about a minute, then a man stood up.
"Hell, a free meal if I win, but have to pay yours if I lose!?" He exclaimed, "Kid you had me at 'I will pay'!"
"Are you serious?" another asked, "You're sure to lose, It's all against you!"
"Won't know till I try." Allen responded.
"Count me in!" the man shouted. Two more accepted and in about fourty-five minutes Allen had beaten them.
"How the hell did we lose to that kid!" one of them exclaimed, "He probably cheated!" Allen collected the money and gave it to a very much stunned Keigo. He turned back and was about to lead the others out when Roan came up to him.
"Contestants, come one come all, see proof that Allen didn't cheat!" Road shouted like if Allen was some sort of attraction, "See under his sleeve, nothing there! His pockets, just a watch! His shoes, nothing but his socks!" Allen knew Road was not only trying to prove he didn't cheat (which was a lie...but no one needs to know that one of many secrets to his success in poker), but she was also gloating and slamming into their faces the fact that they lost to a kid.
"Come on Road, you had your fun." Allen said with a smile while grabbing Road's hand and leading her out of the restaurant.
As soon as they returned, there was still plenty of time before the next class so the boys (meaning Allen, Keigo, Ichigo, Ishida, and Chad) decided to go to the roof and the girls (Orihime, Road, Rukia, and Tatsuki) hung out at a tree nearby. Orihime seemd to have gotten over her breakdown earlier that day but was unusually...happy, even for her.
"Hey, do you think that Ishida's cute?" she asked the others. The other girls stared at her, shocked with the same thought running through their head, 'Orihime got over Ichigo that quickly?'
"Uhh...I guess he's not bad." Tatsuki replied breaking the awkwardness. "Not like Ichigo, but better than Keigo I'd say." Rukia looked at Tatsuki with curiosity. Orihime noticed this.
"Rukia." She began faking surprise, "Don't tell me you didn't know Tatsuki had a little crush on Ichigo before?"
"Orihime!" Tatsuki was blushing a bit, but was actually more worried at how Rukia would act. Rukia only stared at her.
"I guess I should have known, you being his oldest friend and all." Rukia moved to sit at the base of the tree, she didn't seem to have been fazed by this. "Hey, where's Road?"
They looked around but couldn't see her. "Road!" Tatsuki called out.
"Up here!" Road replied cheerfully. She was sitting cross legged on a branch.
"How'd you get up there?" Orihime asked.
"What do you mean?" Tatsuki asked, "It's easy."
"Yeah, most of us can do it." Rukia replied. she got up and backed away a bit to get enough room for a running start. She ran right at the tree and directed her momentum upward as she ran up the tree slightly grabbing on to a branch before she fell and swung on to it. "See? Easy."
"Come on." Tatsuki called to Orihime as she did the same as Rukia. Orihime tried to do the same, but she ended up slamming her face into the tree trunk.
"Its easy for you guys," she said while rubbing her nose, "Can you help me up please?"
"Ok." Tatsuki replied stretching her hand for Orihime. Orihime jumped, caught Tatsuki's hand and pulled herself up.
"Hey Ichigo," Keigo called out, "I can see the girls from here, but they're just talking."
"Do you think Orihime's over you Ichigo?" Ishida asked.
"I don't know, why?" Ichigo asked completely Ignoring Keigo.
"Uhh...no reason." Ishida replied with a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Ishida! You finally chose your girl!" Keigo shouted, "Of course you would fall for Orihime."
Orihime sneezed and the other girls looked at her, "I think someone's talking about you." Road commented.
Keigo continued his ranting, "You know with the cute face, the hot body, and the big b-" Keigo was cut off by Ishida's fist connecting with his face.
"Go any further and I will kill you!" Ishida hissed.
"Wow," Ichigo commented, "You've got it bad for Orihime."
"Shut up!" Ishida snapped, "Anyway, it's almost time for class so lets go get the girls."
Before they left Ichigo turned to Chad, "Yo, I know your not the talkative type, but can you at least try to jump into a conversation once in a while? I feel like we just leave you out." Chad simply smiled and shrugged.
"I'll try." he responded.
"Hey, class is gonna start soon, come down!" Ichigo called to the girls. Road saw Allen waiting for her beneath her and got an idea.
"Allen, catch!" She let herself fall and Allen caught her in his arms. Rukia saw this, 'Eh, what the hell.' she thought and let herself fall off and into Ichigo's hands.
"I don't have a safety net like you guys." Tatsuki commented, "So..." She let herself fall back wards while grabbing onto the branch and swung herself closer to the ground before letting got and landing on one knee. She looked behind her and saw the others holding up giant cards that read "10.0" except for Road whose card read "6.7". "What the hell Road?"
"You didn't add a back flip." Road replied and shrugged.
"Orihime, you need to come down." Ishida commented. Orihime hugged the tree shaking her head. Keigo got an idea and whispered something to Chad. Chad nodded and approached the tree while everyone looked at him with interest. Chad pulled back his fist and slammed it into the tree effectively shaking Orihime off. Orihime was about to hit the ground when Ishida jumped foward and caught her in his arms. Orihime looked up at Ishida and made contact with his eyes. Neither could break away for a moment.
"Hey, you gonna kiss or are we going to class?" Road commented. Ishida blushed and quickly put down an equally blushing Orihime.