First things first. Thank you for the reviews! I'm more than happy at this moment… no, shall we use the word 'ecstatic' instead? (chuckles) Anyway, thank you! I very much appreciate the time you used on this fanfic. It makes me really happy. Please keep on supporting me! 8')))).
Replies for the Reviews:
For pigsinthesky-san: Thank you for loving it! I'll try my best to update as fast as I can although please consider, I am actually just a student and I also have my priorities 8'))))). Also, bringing Shuuhei to the fic? I think that's a very GREAT idea! I adore Shuuhei afterall; he's so funny and cute! Oh, and lastly – yes, I am Asian 8'))))).
For tman0066-san: Thank you so much! I'll work real hard 8'))).
For xJ11Cx-san: Thank you! I respect your statement although, in the end, it's always going to be about their love, right? (chuckles)
Author's little Note: Goodness, was I shocked with the amount of visitors I had for the Prologue! There were actually a lot in number under the 'hits' label, but alas, I do not know what that means in this case. Can someone please enlighten me?
Anyway, before you start reading the very first chapter, I'd like to let you know I wasn't quite pleased with how it turned out with my version of Ichigo's point of view. Maybe it's because I don't understand what it is that goes inside a man's mind entirely, so my writing is probably… rushed, and not all that amazing. Because of this, I've decided to insert Ichigo's POV in situations that I'm comfortable with. I'll try harder next time, so please bear with me. Thank you.
Orange Strawberries and Purple Midgets
Chapter One: Can You Try Mixing Two Colors?
Rukia's POV:
I was greeted by the usual chatter as I arrived today in school. Well, it was kind of… louder than the usual actually. They were all "The party!" and "The dress I'm going to wear…" and those stuff.
I did receive a call from Ishida earlier about the party, and well maybe that's how it got things started here. What a ruckus.
A lot was talking about the party that it almost seemed like the whole of Karakura high would attend. Throughout the hallway, I could hear the voices of popular girls, geeks, emos, bullies and other varieties and they all seemed to talk about one thing – the party. It's such a hot issue for most of the students that it's almost annoying.
Also, I do recall having to accept that invitation Ishida sent me through message. I thought, 'It's good exposure' so I was excited about it. Hmmm, but this level of excitement? Well, certainly not. But then again, I wonder how parties are in Karakura. Sure, I did live a cruel life in the past but I did get to attend some parties held at the all-girls school I studied in. It was a pleasant occasion, and the atmosphere was friendly. The music was usually classical, and I loved it that way. But I guess it's not going to be like that in Karakura now, would it? I mean, think of all the people who'd get bored.
I thought about it all over again and eventually frowned. Let's reserve the thoughts for later!
My silent mutterings were disturbed as I found out that the hallway was flooded with girls. They were squealing, and apparently, turning to one direction.
'Let me guess; is it something for the party?' I thought sarcastically.
The hallway cleared out eventually like the parting of the Red Sea and revealed a tall, dashing young man. He had this striking orange hair and it made me want to touch it immediately after seeing it. It was spiky, but it did look soft.
And boy, do I want to touch it.
Atop that, he had beautiful, captivating amber eyes. Sure, I've seen a heck lotta eyes with that same color, but his… his were a different story. They were like, amber orbs bathed with a loadful of 'attractive'; they were like pools of dark honey mixed with-
…Okay, that was weird.
Anyway, the point is, his presence made my heart skip a beat. I could feel myself gaping at his sight; not gaping, as in like a hungry rapist, but gaping at his beauty. In fact, anyone I know would agree that he was the most handsome man I've ever laid my eyes on. And trust me, only a few know me, but they do know me entirely; down from the very last detail.
I flew back to reality and tore away my gaze from the orange-haired boy as I heard Rangiku talking to someone. I glanced at her, and she immediately met my eyes. She stood there with a tall, black-haired man. He had a '69' tattoo on his cheek and he had a buffy built for a high school student.
"Oh, Rukia," Rangiku smiled her usual smile. "This is Hisagi Shuuhei from Class C. He was just asking me about today's homework; Shuu, this is Kuchiki Rukia. She transferred here a week ago from Soul Society."
Hisagi Shuuhei looked at me for a few seconds and managed to pull off a smile… well, it was kind of awkward.
"N-Nice to meet you, Kuchiki-san." He speaks.
"Same here, Hisagi-san," I held out my hand for a formal handshake. Well, a handshake is only natural right? "I'm from Class A."
He held out his hand awkwardly from his pocket and shook my small hand. "N-Nice to meet you!"
I could see Rangiku eyeing his movements suspiciously and I began to frown at her.
"What?" she mouthed. I rolled my eyes.
And so, when the bell rang we proceeded to the classroom and listened to class. It was honestly boring and I had to fight with the urge to bring my head down and just sleep without a care in the world. Well, I had to fight. There's no way I'm sleeping in class; Brother would be very disappointed!
A few periods, seven pages worth of notes and a headache later and classes ended. I did see the orange-haired boy walk in the hallways with that scowl of his. Of course, I couldn't turn my gaze from him. I just had to look.
Ah, but he ruined it! As soon as I settled to stare at him a bit more, his face turned into shock and immediately ran off. Whatever did happen?
"Rukia," And so I heard Rangiku's voice. "Let's go home! I'm tried~"
"Ah, yes," I swiftly grabbed my bag and follow her out.
Ichigo's POV:
I was calmly walking on the hallways and making my way out of the school when I saw a creature, who appears to be Zangetsu, clad in an ordinary suit ordinary men wore for work. His hair was swept back and I mean, neatly while he wore a pair of sunglasses.
My jaw dropped. Why is he here?
I immediately ran off towards the entrance gate where he stood waiting. He immediately felt my presence and did a half-bow.
"Why are you here!" I asked.
"To pick you up," he said sharply. "Now get in the taxi."
"What?" was the response I managed to pull out from my gaping mouth. Why the sudden change of attitude, Zangetsu?
The next thing I knew he pushed me to the taxi. I could hear some voices of the students from Karakura High screaming, "Teacher! Teacher! Kurosaki-san was kidnapped!"
When we finally settled to the taxi, he sighed heavily. "Goodness," he said. "Pardon my manners earlier, young master, but I simply had to do it."
"Why? Did something happen?" I asked, curiosity coloring my voice.
"Ah, yes, but nothing dangerous of that sort," he assured me. "Actually, I missed an important detail I had to tell you supposedly a week before today."
"Ah? What detail?"
"We actually got new neighbors!" he said. "Two young women, actually. One is from Soul Society and the other is her guardian."
"And what does this have to do with me?" I asked with a bored tone.
"Well, I say," Zangetsu replied. "It is very rude to not introduce yourself to your new neighbors, young master! Remember what your father used to sa-"
"Okay, okay, I get it," I waved my hand, exasperated. "We're meeting them tomo-"
"Today, young master," Zangetsu inserted. "Today."
"Alright, fine!"
A few minutes later and we've arrived to the house. Zangetsu talked about how he took extra measures just to go and pick me up from school. Yes, extra measures. He was that desperate to actually dress up normally and take the taxi on the way to get me.
As soon as we stepped out of the taxi, another taxi came parking in at the house next to ours. I suppose that's our new neighbor?
Anyway, two women stepped out of the vehicle. One was a tall woman with wavy, strawberry blonde hair and the other was… a petite woman with Raven-colored hair and large, purple-colored eyes. She was an unusual sight pulled out all together; well, unusual in a good way. She looked our way and eventually smiled at us.
Zangetsu directed himself towards the two girls and shook their hands. He talked with them for a while and then he glanced at me, silently commanding me to introduce myself to them.
Rukia's POV:
I can't believe it! So the orange-haired boy is our neighbor! I glanced at Rangiku who was grinning madly at his sight, and I can't help but smile at this myself. He was walking write for us and eventually smiled and said 'hello' casually. His guardian, Mr. Zangetsu, glared at him for that but he just rolled his eyes. In the end, we only got to say 'hello' as a greeting and dismissed ourselves right after a little chat.
When we got in to the comforts of our home, Rangiku immediately let out a girly squeal. "Rukia, did you see him?" she started. "My God, isn't he cute?"
"He is, Rangiku. He is." I smiled.
"Oh, but not as much as Gin of course!" she squealed.
That aside, I silently drifted to my own world and recalled how I got into a small conversation with him after our meeting.
Ichigo's POV:
I had a little conversation with the midget a few minutes ago before we left for our separate homes. She told me she heard about a party being thrown by someone on Friday night. And yeah, I did recall Grimmjow's invitation to his party on that same day. I told him I didn't want to come; and I probably made it clear to him.
And I was so sure that I made it clear to myself as well.
But no, thinking that probably wasn't enough. Why? She asked me if I was going, which I already made clear I was not (to myself), and I ended up saying I was. I don't know; there's just something about that midget that makes it hard to decline the offer.
And so unknowingly, I spent the next few hours thinking about her.
(END of Chapter One)
Akuma's Little Diary: I have recently developed a deep liking to this guy who does great in Korean Martial Arts in our school. He's what you can call the typical 'Badass' type of guy some girls find attractive. He is that way, but he's incredibly serious in his past relationships. Currently, there are rumors spreading in our school saying we are going out a year after he broke up with his girlfriend. You see, we were classmates in the past school year and to top that, we were also seatmates who constantly bickered and teased each other and I guess some just misunderstood that. Anyway, me and him… going out? Well, I really can't see that as truth but, even if we did go out, I doubt he would forget his ex completely just for me. And I still like him secretly anyway.
Anyway! So, how is it, guys? I hope you guys like it! Please do tell me your reactions and suggestions. Fill up my determination meter!
Review and I'll give you Orange Strawberries with an extra dose of SMEXEHH! 8')))))).