Chapter 3: Strawberry Meets Death
Hi everyone- my story has had many hits and visitors, but no reviews :'( Please, even if it's minimal, your opinion would really help me out with this story. I know it's a bit slow at the moment, but things will speed up soon. Also, the rating is "M" mainly for the overall content, especially in future chapters. I'd like to remind you not everything is strictly as it is in the original Bleach plot and concepts, etc. Some things are out of my own imagination.
All that aside, I'm really liking the progress so far, so please let me know if you think so as well or otherwise- here's Chapter 3 of 'Strawberry Meets Death'!
Disclaimer: I do not own the original characters and concepts of Bleach. The made up parts are mine.
---
I also hope everything turns out well Rukia.
---
Yuzu could hardly contain her excitement; the beaten dough on the kitchen counter proved so, her little fists imprinted in the should-be smooth dough. She was beaming as she saw Ichigo come downstairs half an hour earlier than usual, now heading outside to the fence.
He was waiting.
Ichigo decided there was no harm in waiting for his new friend since there wouldn't be anyone to see them anyways. Their route was student-free all the way up to school, so there's nothing to explain to anyone.
Besides, she's a girl- gotta make sure no one bothers her.
---
Rukia stepped out of her apartment, a 'poptart' in hand. Seeing she made it on time yesterday despite the incident with Ichigo, she made no effort in walking any quicker than yesterday morning.
It was peaceful in Karakura Town; she can see children with their parents walking to their schools, the shops opening their doors for the day, the birds flying about to find food- it was definitely nice.
In Seireitei, she lived with her adopted brother, Kuchiki Byakuya. He was a noble, so servants went to the markets, not Rukia. She was limited to the training grounds for her division and anywhere her captain might need her, as well as her brother's grand house. Since there were others who specifically dealt with Hollows and other problems in Soul Society, she never had a chance to go on those missions outside the grand walls of Seireitei.
Being here, with everyone around her, being part of a group in some way… it was a peaceful feeling.
Her peace, however, was soon replaced with a unexpected jolt of hope- she was approaching Ichigo's house and she was hoping he was there not to kill time before school, but rather waiting for her.
---
"Mornin' Rukia. Took you long enough…" The grin he had assured her he wasn't so mad or being annoying, so she found no reason to hit him- yet.
"Eh, you could have gone ahead you know. No one asked you to wait for me…." She stopped by his side, nervously clutching her books close to her chest.
Hmm, she has her hands full… might as well. With a mischievous grin, Ichigo quipped, "Who said I was waiting for you? I was simply waiting for you to pass, that way I know about what time I should get going myself. You're a human clock for me."
Again, he never saw the fist coming.
"Fine! Not like I expected it or liked it, y-you jerk!" Rukia tore down the street as Ichigo recovered from the left hook to his jaw. Fuck! So much for the books keeping her hands busy… damn, I better catch up.
Ichigo ran for his fleeing friend, quickly catching up to her. Little did he know just how lucky he was; having been restricted from using shunpo in public, Rukia was not much of a runner in her gigai, so he had his chance to stop her.
"Rukia!" He grabbed her arm, swinging her around to face him. He found himself blocking another hook to his jaw. "Let go asshole!" Rukia kept her books in her arm that wasn't trying to break his face, but could feel them slipping. "Let go, my books will fall- LET GO!"
Ichigo pulled her attacking hand to her other wrist, now holding both in one hand. With the other, he took her books and placed them on the small wall by them.
"Damn it Rukia, I was kidding! Learn to take a joke, fuck!"
A joke? Rukia stopped struggling; by the sound of his voice, he seemed justified… but what exactly was a joke? She never heard of one around her back in Soul Society. What was said was meant. Always.
"Fine, just let me go!" I'll have to ask Urahara about this later. She waited for him to release her, but he didn't. "Ichi-"
A hand covered her mouth, keeping her quiet. "Promise you won't run off like that again. You can hit me all you want, even if you misunderstand anything, but don't run from me."
Rukia was shocked. He suddenly seemed so much younger, like a little boy…. She nodded. His hand left her mouth, reaching down to pick up her books. She reached out to take them but Ichigo took them in his left hand, keeping them away from her. She felt a small smile and caught up to his pace. They headed down the street together, in a silent, comfortable peace.
---
Urahara couldn't help his smile. He had been on a small stroll, bored at home. That's when he saw Kuchiki Rukia and the boy he knew as Kurosaki Isshin's son. The view had been interesting, seeing the whole argument between them. He saw the look of confusion on Rukia's face when the boy mentioned 'joke,' knowing she'll be asking him later on today what that was.
He now felt more uncomfortable with the whole situation.
Urahara could definitely teach Rukia a few things about her new world- but there was no way he could teach her about her new life. He couldn't teach her about entertainment, morals, jokes, love, hate, friendship… but someone like the boy could.
Especially after seeing them walk off so comfortably together. He headed home, hoping he could find Ukitake at this hour.
---
"Hey Inoue, how was your night?" Tatsuki sat by her best friend's desk, waiting for the start of class. "My, it was just fine Tatsuki! I had a delicious dinner last night, with lots of leftovers!"
Inoue kept on twirling her orange locks, glancing between the clock and the empty seat across hers to the left. Tatsuki noticed, asking her friend what was wrong but having a feeling she already knew….
"Well, Kurosaki-kun is late today… compared to other days at least." Inoue felt a small blush across her cheeks, hoping her friend wouldn't be angry over her small worry.
Sighing, Tatsuki put on her best smile for her friend. "Inoue, I'm sure he's fine- he probably woke up late. At least you know it's not because he's with a gir-"
"Is that Ichigo with the new girl?" A simple question rang loud to their ears. Everyone, including Inoue, rushed to the window where he was spotted from.
"Oh my god, it is! Ichigo, you traitor!" Keigo sobbed on his friend's shoulder, his hopes of wooing Rukia shot down.
Takutsei glanced at Inoue, hurt by what she saw- tears glistened in her eyes, a look of pain across her face. She ran to the bathroom, unnoticed by the other students. Tatsuki looked back outside, taking in the image.
Ichigo walked into the school grounds with Kuchiki Rukia, holding what could be assumed as her books. She just hoped they barely caught up at the gate rather than before. I'll have to find out where she lives… oh god Ichigo, why did you choose her?
Tatsuki returned to her seat, waiting for Inoue and her long-time friend Ichigo to come through the door. She just wished for the miracle they'd walked in together.
---
"How could you eat pop-tarts? They're so hard and dry you can kill someone with it!" Ichigo had been arguing with Rukia for the past ten minutes about her chosen breakfast, horrified at her casual "What else would I eat?" response.
It was all forgotten as soon as he walked in the classroom however, when twenty pairs of eyes were on him. Rukia seemed to not notice, practically skipping to her desk. Trying to hide his sudden confusion- and fear of being attacked…- he followed her, placing her books on her desk before slipping into his by her side. Soon as he did, two crunched up papers flew onto his desk; one came from behind and another from his right side. That could only mean Keigo and Tatsuki.
He smoothed them out, reading the first one, Keigo's note:
"TRAITOR! Why are you stealing all the hot girls? You better tell me just how much action you got from her! Remember not to feel committed to her if she was a virgin!"
Ichigo tore up the paper, refusing to waste energy responding to stupidy. I'm going to kick his ass.
The second was the one he was worried about: "We need to talk Ichigo."
---
The students rushed out of class, eager to get the best spots in the school yard for their lunch hour. Ichigo knew this would be when Tatsuki will approach him, so he waited by his desk, his bento in hand. Surely enough, Tatsuki walked over to him once the classroom was empty of other ears.
"So, Ichigo… we were quite surprised to see the 'asexual' one of our group coming in with Kuchiki this morning. You two are…?"
"Why would it matter if I walked with Rukia? There's a thing called "friend" and I don't need anyone judging just because she happens to have breasts rather than a penis." Ichigo couldn't help being angry with his friend, but he didn't need them all going insane.
"Rukia, eh? Didn't know you could become so close just after a few hours Ichigo. You had refused to call me by my first name until five years after meeting. Interesting if you ask me."
Ichigo bit his lip, trying to control his words carefully; "What are you getting at Tatsuki. What's really wrong here?"
"Inoue." Her answer came fast to his displeasure. "You share so much in common with her Ichigo and not only that, but as much as I hate to say this, she has a body any man would want. What does Rukia have that Inoue doesn't?!" Tatsuki didn't want to be like this, but she had spent many years and days comforting Inoue after another day passed that Ichigo wouldn't ask her to be his.
"Don't call her Rukia!" He didn't let the shocked look from his friend stop him. "The only things Inoue and I share are the hair color and a friend. I can't have a conversation with her without her blushing and running off, or stammering, or straying off into dreamland! Nice to know you think I'm so obsessed with looks and the body to care about other things. I don't need this. I'm off."
Ichigo was out the door before Tatsuki could get in another word.
---
Rukia played with the small little animal on her hand. Its red color with black spots had her in a daze, it's six feet ticking her skin. She couldn't help but pout when it flew away.
"Rukia?"
She recognized the voice behind her, feeling a sense of heat spread across her cheeks.
-----
Inoue fans- sorry but I don't fancy her for my Ichigo! :) No worries though, I'll only torture her so much- she'll end up happy, I promise. See, I'm nice.
Again, reviews and comments would be really helpful. I got to know if I'm doing okay!
I hope you enjoyed reading this.
~KurosakiLove