title. a child's play
summary. Ichigo groaned, almost heartbroken as he looked down at Inoue Orihime. Small, cute and, yes, flat-chested.
prompt. /
note. ah sorry, late update -_-" i got busy with eating and hospitals. wah! sorry! :D anyway… my last update for this year! HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS! eat, eat, eat, eat!
disclaimer. applied, a-huh.
warning. /
"With you?" Uryuu echoed, looking at him skeptically.
Head tilted to the side, Ichigo arched an eyebrow, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "What's with that stare?" He challenged defensively. "Just because I look like this it does not mean I don't know how to look after kids! I have two younger sisters, you know! I can take care of Inoue!"
As usual, Uryuu pushed up his glasses before responding. "I doubt it. You'd probably scare her off with that monstrous face of yours."
The corner of Ichigo's mouth twitched, a vein throbbing in his temple. "YOU –"
With Ichigo and Uryuu's banter in the background, Urahara cupped a hand around his mouth and called out, "Sado-kun, Sado-kun. Please, if you may." Catching the child one last time, Sado turned to Tessai who took the girl from Sado's arms.
"Please, please. Do not fight, Kurosaki-san, Ishida-san." The shopkeeper snapped his fan open.
Uryuu crossed his arms. "I am merely expressing my concern over Inoue-san welfare. The imbecile couldn't be trusted."
"Stop talking as if I'm not here, you freak!" Ichigo shot back. "I can take care of Inoue. Believe it or not, I don't care."
Large gray eyes were watching the two bickering teenagers. "Inoue-dono~" Orihime looked back and blinked up to Tessai who was sobbing while putting on an overlarge purple and white knitted winter hat with large earflaps atop the little girl's head.
"Sai…?"
Tessai sobbed again, his fingers tying the strings under Orihime's chin.
"Inoue-dono!" Tessai engulfed the kid in a bear hug.
Urahara chuckled indulgently. "Hai, hai. Tessai-san, please let go of Inoue-chan."
Tessai obeyed and turned to Ichigo who freaked out at the sudden close proximity between their faces. With a whispered curse, he moved back, cringing at the steady flow of tears streaming down Tessai's face. "Don't forget to feed her, Kurosaki-dono!"
"Eh? What the– you think I'll let her starve!"
"You're not exactly the affectionate type, Kurosaki. You," Uryuu enunciated before continuing, "are also insensitive."
"One more word, Ishida. One more."
"Inoue-chan," Urahara called and kneeled before the girl, "Behave. And don't run after pumpkin men."
"Hai!" The girl nodded, grinning.
"This is Kurosaki Ichigo." He pointed. "He'll look after you for awhile while Amazing Getaboshi makes another candy for you."
The child looked up to Ichigo who nervously rubbed the back of his head, uncomfortable at the very direct stare. He wasn't used to Orihime's staring at him openly. Even though she transformed into a child, Orihime retained her soulful but piercing eyes. It was unnerving to be stared at with such piercing sincerity and innocence, especially from Inoue.
"Ichi."
Ichigo blinked, surprised, and his whole face flushed heatedly. "Y-Yeah…" The child offered a blinding half-smile and he reddened even more, including his ears.
What the hell! Why am I blushing!
He studied the little girl under his lashes, his scowl thoughtful.
Crap… Inoue looks like this when she's young? She looks so damn fragile. It's almost scary to hold her.
And her eyes.
… were huge.
"Anyway, she'll eat anything you give her. She's not picky." Urahara added.
"But she likes strawberry ice cream!" Tessai piped in. "With ketchup."
The three gagged.
"My dad's gonna flip," Ichigo muttered, his frown darkening, dreading his father's reaction to him bringing home a child. He dug his chin deeper into his thick scarf, eyes deviated to the side.
"Please, Kurosaki-dono, be careful with Inoue-dono."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Geez."
But Tessai was not comforted. "She's very fragile!"
"I'm not going to break her or something, you know!"
"Like I said, you're not exactly the affectionate type." Uryuu reminded him.
"Smartass."
"…" Sado quietly regarded the small auburn-haired child who looked desperately sad. He noticed how she restrained herself from reaching out to Tessai or to Urahara.
"Be good, Inoue-chan. We'll see you soon."
Her thin eyebrows under the brim of her winter hat slanted sadly, her big gray eyes tearing. "Daa…"
Urahara smiled encouragingly, patting the girl's head. "Bye bye." The two men turned away and stalked off while the girl kept looking after them. Behind her, three tall men in coats stood.
There was a sound of small movement as Ichigo stepped closer to the child.
"Hey."
There was a sniff.
Ichigo knelt down beside the girl and said quietly, "Come on. It's kinda cold. You might get sick." Orihime turned her head around to look at him in the eye. Ichigo's frown deepened pensively as he marveled at how deep this child's eyes were. Orihime gave a watery smile, nodding obediently. Ichigo watched the girl took a deep breath, rubbing her face with her small hands.
"Alright," Ichigo said quietly, staring at the kid's small hands.
"See you tomorrow," Sado said quietly.
"Yeah."
"Don't forget to feed the child, Kurosaki."
"Geez. I'm not heartless, you bastard," Ichigo retorted, standing up.
Ichigo and little Orihime started to walk towards Kurosaki Clinic. Ichigo was deep in his thoughts, thinking of ways how to explain to his dad about Orihime's situation without him knowing that it was Orihime. Distracted by rapid small steps behind him, Ichigo looked back. "Inoue?" He watched the girl jogged closer, her face flushed and wisps of smoke coming from her small mouth as she panted. "Hey. What's up? Are you…" Ichigo's eyes widened in comprehension.
Damn.
She was trying to keep up with his long strides.
Shit.
Ishida was right. He is an insensitive bastard.
He sighed as he bent down, his coat touching the ground. "I'm sorry, Inoue," Ichigo said quietly. She blinked. He gave her a very faint apologetic smile. "I… I didn't mean to… leave you behind."
She looked thoughtful for a minute, gray eyes round and contemplative. And then, she smiled brightly and made wild gestures, her large eyes sparkling. The faint smile grew, amused as Ichigo watched her gesture. As always, Orihime forgives people easily, considering others before herself.
"Are you tired?" She's so goddamned small.
She cocked her head to the side, blinking. And then, she smiled and shook her head.
"…are you sure?"
She gave enthusiastic nods.
"Alright…" Slowly, Ichigo stood up, still looking down to Orihime, who remained staring up to him. He averted his gaze, hiding his warm cheeks behind his scarf. "Let's go." This time, Ichigo held back, walking slowly to accommodate Orihime. "We're here," he said after a while. Ichigo looked down to her and watched in mild amusement as the girl tilted her head back, mouth parted, to look up to the house, which to her was as big as the sky.
"Ah… yours?" she asked in her thin voice, pointing at the house.
Ichigo nodded. "My family lives here."
"…family…" She repeated softly, looking curious.
"Yeah." Wearily, Ichigo turned towards the door. Damn. How should I get her to my room without anyone noticing? He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He sighed, scratching the back of his head. Ah… maybe if I use my super speed… they would not notice me! All I have to do is to hide her! Immediately, Ichigo shed off his coat while dropping to one knee in front of her and placed it over the little girl's head. He could not help but to watch her eye the coat above her head with her round, curious eyes, tilting her head to the side in question.
"It's okay. Let's… play hide and seek, yeah?"
She met his gaze and beamed at him.
Ichigo could not help it but add, "There are monsters in there." Her eyes widened, but instead of in fear, they rounded in excitement. Why I am not surprised? He thought with a sweat drop. This girl was Inoue after all. She was unique, extraordinarily optimistic and… really… beautiful. Ichigo mentally socked himself. Shaking his head, he continued, "Don't make a sound, okay?"
She opened her mouth to reply but she slapped her hands to her mouth and nodded.
Ichigo smiled simply. "Good girl."
Her eyes beamed at him.
"Alright… Uh…" Wait… I have to carry her. He did, tucking her easily under his arm. His coat completely hid her body and from outsider's point of view, it looked like he was carrying a small sack of rice. He marched down the pathway and opened the door.
"WELCOME HOME, ICHIGO!"
"Damn– crap!" No bad words! "Get away from me!" Ichigo jumped back, deftly avoiding a roundhouse kick, protectively holding his bundle between his arm and hip.
"Daddy wants an I-am-home kiss!"
Ichigo cringed. "ARE YOU FUC— ARE YOU CRAZY!"
Isshin blinked curiously. Huh?
The boy glared menacingly, expressing each word with firmness. "I'LL BE IN MY ROOM. DOING MY ASSIGNMENT. MEANING… DON'T FUC— I mean, don't disturb me! Don't barge into my room like a crazy bull on drugs! Got it!"
"Are you going to study… biology?" Isshin wiggled his brows suggestively. Ichigo responded by throwing a shoe. The makeshift missile hit its target and Isshin toppled backward. On his way to his room, Karin appeared from the twin's room. Ichigo quickened his pace, almost running. Before Karin could question her brother about the weird thing under his arm, his bedroom door shut behind him loudly.
"Eh?"