Chapter 3: More Issues With Issues
Before Ichigo knew it, two weeks had past since his first psychiatric evaluation, and tomorrow was the third. "Ichigo it seems that in these two weeks you've gotten used to the work we do around here." Ukitake pointed out. It was late in the evening, and while everyone else in the squad had already taken off for the evening, Ichigo had decided to help Ukitake with a few last minute pages of paperwork.
"Well it's not so bad, honestly Renji had told me about paperwork he had to do once and said that it was insufferable, but I find this work to almost be a no-brainer. For instance this page here asks for the squad's input on new policies regarding how to deal with belligerent souls in Rukongai, being that they do not bear any spiritual powers should force be necessary in dealing with perpetrators? It would seem that the best course of action is not the full on use of force as we would deal with hollows, but rather utilizing bakudo to restrain the souls before imprisoning them based on the severity of the offense. Rukia told me once that we are not meant to dictate over the souls in Rukongai, but rather keep them safe, and I believe that it would be necessary to punish those who commit crimes without exercising brutality." Ichigo explained. "Would it be acceptable for me to write that as the response?" He asked.
"Actually that was very close to how I would have responded, but I would have pointed out that for those offenses that are of a more mild sort, we should issue fines and if the fines should not be met, we could go on to then arrest those individuals with the use of bakudo." Ukitake replied and Ichigo nodded before writing down the response. "Say Ichigo what would you say for this one, with the Sokyoku destroyed should the previous methods of execution be reintroduced?" He read out loud.
"What was the previous method of execution?" Ichigo asked as he looked up from his paperwork.
"Well we used to use a pit full of hollows, a Soul Reaper would be stripped of his or her powers and thrown in. At which point the hollows would devour the one to be executed." Ukitake explained and Ichigo was horrified by the explanation.
"Do you mean that the Seireitei actually used a method that horrifying to execute criminals? Of course we shouldn't go back to that, if anything we should have Yamamoto carry out the executions, or a Soul Reaper of sufficient caliber with the mind state capable of the burden of taking a life. Feeding hollows isn't are job and we are not zookeepers, we are Soul Reapers and it is our duty to purify hollows and perform konso on recently deceased souls. I believe strongly that those methods of the past remain only in the past, and never return to the present." Ichigo replied passionately.
"Very good Ichigo that is very similar to what I had already written down." Ukitake replied.
"Really? Well how about this one, following the betrayal of the captains for Squads Three, Five, and Nine, should the academic processes of the Soul Reaper academy be reevaluated by incorporating advanced psychiatric testing?" Ichigo asked, but Ukitake wasn't quick to answer.
"Ichigo these forms really should only be looked at by captains. I thank you for sticking around to help me out, but perhaps I should look through the rest of these on my own." Ukitake replied after a moment of thought.
"Um if you're sure, but wouldn't it go by quicker if you had some help, I mean a lieutenant could look at them right? I could send Rukia back if you need assistance." Ichigo suggested.
"No that won't be necessary, unlike our regular paperwork which has a deadline of twenty-four hours to complete, these required inputs on the possible revisions can be turned in to Yamamoto in a week's time. So there really is no rush." Ukitake replied.
"Well fine then, I'll be going now, take care Captain." Ichigo replied as he left Ukitake's office. "Hmm he didn't seem that bothered with my help before we began, so what made him change his mind? Was it the form regarding the psychiatric evaluations at that academy?" He wondered as he left the barracks.
Back in Ukitake's office, Ukitake was having extreme difficulties on his input on one issue in specific. "It's a good thing he left when he did, if he would have seen this I'm sure his mental condition would begin to deteriorate rapidly… Should the living humans whom are aware of the existence of Soul Society be silenced with maximum force as to avoid the possible risk of infiltration by the living with the means to enter the Soul Society?" He read the form silently. "This is obviously a precaution against groups like the Quincies and the fullbringers, but should the other nine captains agree that would mean feeding all of Ichigo's living friends to hollows… He most certainly can not find out about this form… But should he stumble onto the truth of the matter, he might decide to defend his friends at which point he would be seen as no different than Aizen… This is bad… Just what the hell is Yamamoto thinking?" He wondered as he wrote his reply on the form. "We must not allow this to happen!" He exclaimed in disgust.
It was rapidly approaching midnight by the time Ichigo returned to the Kuchiki manor, and when he went in only Byakuya was still awake. "Welcome back Ichigo… You were out late…" Byakuya pointed out.
"Oh yeah, I was helping Captain Ukitake with last minute paperwork. Something about requesting the opinions of the captains or something like that, but the forms detailed some pretty heavy stuff… Wait don't tell me you already finished it." Ichigo stated.
"No, I have only completed a fourth of the forms, however did you see any forms that might have unacceptable outcomes?" Byakuya asked.
"Well Ukitake had a form that talked about the style of execution, but we both agreed that a pit of hollows was to remain in the past." Ichigo replied.
"I see…" Byakuya uttered, and Ichigo could have sworn Byakuya looked slightly relieved. "Though Ichigo I want to ask you about the affair between you and Rukia…" He continued and Ichigo flinched out of nervousness directed toward the sudden question.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked as he tried to hide the fact that he was beginning to tremble.
"Let me ask you, it has been no less than thirteen days since you and Rukia announced your feelings in regard to the other, however I'm beginning to doubt the sincerity of your declaration… Ichigo was your admission of infatuation merely a ruse you two agreed upon to make a fool of me yet again?" Byakuya asked, but Ichigo was on the verge of a serious panic attack brought on by Byakuya's question.
"Are you asking because we haven't really acted as though we love each other? Look it's not exactly an emotion I'm good at expressing, Captain Kyoraku whom can confess his feelings at the drop of a hat… Before I can, well, you know, I need to feel comfortable in the situation, but I haven't had a chance to feel comfortable yet… As for Rukia, maybe she expects me to make the first move, or maybe she's exactly the same way I am when it comes to romance… I just don't know what's going on, and if that makes it seem like a lie I apologize, but I would never lie about something that serious." Ichigo explained as his face reddened slightly.
"I see, so if the mood and setting were of your preference you would feel more at ease thus giving you the courage necessary to follow your heart. That is an interesting concept. Tomorrow you will prove to me the weight of your words. I will personally set the mood between the two of you, and finally we will see if you are lying or if indeed you are telling the truth, I speak in regards to the two of you. Should you turn out to be lying to me, tonight will be the last you spend in this house, do you understand?" Byakuya asked, but had Ichigo been in his material body he could swear that he would have died from a heart attack.
"That's perfectly understandable, however I must get to sleep I have my second evaluation tomorrow and I need to get some rest, so we can talk more about this tomorrow, is that alright with you?" Ichigo asked and Byakuya nodded giving Ichigo the okay to go upstairs to the guest room that he had slept in since his departure from the living world. "Is he being serious? Even if the mood is perfect, there's no way I can do this now." He thought before rolling over and drifting off to sleep.
The next morning Ichigo awoke earlier than normal, but while his dreams were pleasant enough for once, he was rudely awakened by the sensation of a nearby hollow, but by the time he had fully awakened the hollow had vanished. "It's gone? Did someone destroy it?" Ichigo wondered as he looked out of a window in the direction he had sensed the hollow only moments earlier. "No, there's no one out there. It must have retreated back to Hueco Mundo, but why? Was there a reason it had to go back?" He wondered as he left his room.
When Ichigo entered the kitchen he was greeted by both Rukia and Byakuya already sitting down for breakfast. "Oh good morning Ichigo, you're up earlier than usual, couldn't sleep, or did you have a nightmare?" Rukia joked as she mimicked a motherly voice.
"What? Didn't you two feel that hollow's presence just now?" Ichigo asked, but Rukia and Byakuya shot him a confused look. "Ugh, maybe it was just part of my dream… Oh well, but do you two always wake up this early? It's only five o'clock in the morning." He pointed out.
"Well Ichigo it is better to be on time rather than late, but for a Kuchiki being on time is being late, so Byakuya and I always wake up earlier than we have to so that we avoid being late." Rukia replied and Ichigo gave her an exasperated look.
"Are you serious? That isn't healthy to get up even before the birds." Ichigo replied as he sat down grabbing a slice of toast in the process.
"Is that all you're going to eat for breakfast?" Rukia asked and Ichigo nodded. "And you say we're unhealthy. Ichigo if you don't eat more than that you're going to grow old fast." She added on.
"What does appetite have to do with longevity?" Ichigo asked, but Rukia simply glared at him. "Fine you win." He continued before grabbing a few more slices of toast replacing Rukia's glare with a satisfied smile in the process. Seeing her smile Ichigo was reminded of his talk with Byakuya the night before. "Hmm, I wonder what he meant by setting the mood… With Rukia's interest in mind it could mean anything from Chappy to the death of hollows." He thought not realizing that Rukia was trying to talk to him.
"Hey Ichigo are you there!" Rukia shouted.
"Huh what?" Ichigo asked as he snapped back to reality.
"I was just asking if I had something on my face, you've been staring at me as if something was wrong with me." Rukia replied in an aggravated tone of voice.
"Oh, no I was just lost in thought, but Rukia, I'm curious, what kind of place makes you feel the most comfortable?" Ichigo asked and Byakuya glanced over at Ichigo.
"A place where I feel comfortable the most? Why do you ask?" Rukia asked.
"Well I just realized that aside from our duties as Soul Reapers and that phony act you put on back at my school, I really don't know that much about you. So I wanted to know more about you." Ichigo explained.
"So you bypass "what's your favorite color" and several other questions and go straight for where I feel the most comfort?" Rukia asked.
"That's not exactly what I intended to do, it's just the first question that came to mind." Ichigo replied, but Rukia seemed less than convinced. "Fine, what's your favorite color?" He asked while growing more and more agitated.
"Well if you're going to insist on making fun of me, you can forget about me answering any questions at all!" Rukia shouted.
"I wasn't making fun of you, but if that's what you want then fine! You're nothing more than a violent midget who is only good at making my life feel like I'm in hell! Is that what you wanted to hear?" Ichigo shouted back.
"At least I don't have mental issues unlike someone else we know. Oh no Tsukishima don't do that to my friends, no! I've heard you cry that out loud while you slept every night since you've been hear, so who has the real issues here?" Rukia asked, but her words stabbed Ichigo far worse than any arrancar's zanpakuto could have.
"Rukia take that back now…" Ichigo growled as he hung his head low.
"No, why should I when it's the truth? Let's face it Ichigo, there must be a good reason why your friends hated you even with the effect of Tsukishima's influence, and don't pretend that it was because my brother took the man's life." Rukia replied, but without saying anything else Ichigo slammed his hands down on the table as he stood up before leaving the room. "Well I guess it's all true…" She uttered as she returned her attention to her breakfast.
"Rukia, perhaps it is not my place to say this, but while what Ichigo said was out of spite, what you said touches heavily on an issue that he is struggling to overcome, rather more to the point, you might have set his mental progression back to the state it was in when he first came to Soul Society. Is that really what you wanted to achieve this morning? I will let you know now, Ichigo asked the question possibly out of a desire to grow closer to you than he already has, and his remarks after the fact were merely a means to hide an emotion that he admitted to me last night that he is unskillful when it comes to conveying." Byakuya stated.
"So what, are you saying that he wanted to know where I felt most comfortable because he l-loves me?" Rukia asked, but Byakuya didn't give a reply.
When Ichigo left the manor he was on the verge of tears. "I know what I said was mean, but for her to say that… I could never use something like this against her…" He thought as he took a longer route to get to the Squad Four barracks than he had normally used to get to his counseling sessions. "Even worse is that Byakuya's probably furious with me, and now they're both probably ecstatic that I stormed out of the house… I bet they're both talking about more of my shortcomings and having a long laugh in the process." He thought before bumping into Toshiro.
"You know normally it is a common practice to watch where you're walking Ichigo." Toshiro stated as he glared at Ichigo.
"Captain Hitsuguya my apologies, I'm dealing with some issues right now, and as a result I was paying attention to my surroundings, it won't happen again hopefully." Ichigo replied.
"Wow, you addressed me by "Captain Hitsuguya" instead of calling me "Toshiro", are you feeling alright? Did you hit your head or something?" Toshiro asked as the two resumed walking.
"No I'm just struggling with what happened with the fullbringers, and getting into an argument with Rukia this morning isn't helping the situation any." Ichigo replied.
"You two are usually always arguing, what makes this morning so bad?" Toshiro asked.
"This morning it was a little worse… Okay a lot worse than our usual arguments… I feel like my life is falling apart at every opportunity." Ichigo replied.
"Well you should talk to Unohana about that, she is a very good psychiatrist at times, and she could give you some advice to help you through your problem." Toshiro suggested.
"Yeah I know, I'm actually on my way to my second psychiatric evaluation, but if you want my honest thought on the matter, I think she'll judge my condition to be worse than it was two weeks ago when I first started seeing her." Ichigo explained.
"Well I can't give you any other advice on the matter I'm afraid. I've never had to deal with the type of problem you must have. Just don't get discouraged, and trust Unohana's wisdom on the matter, she really can help you if you're willing to be helped. Now if you excuse me I must be getting to my squad." Toshiro stated before using shunpo.
"Yeah that's what I've been told…" Ichigo thought before continuing on to Squad Four.
When Ichigo arrived at the Squad Four barracks, he was greeted by Unohana personally. "Welcome Ichigo, I've been waiting for you to arrive." She stated with a warm smile.
"Right, well let's get this over with." Ichigo replied and Unohana narrowed her eyes.
"Yes let us proceed to my office." Unohana replied. "So tell me, how are things going?" She asked once they were in her office.
"Well, they're going…" Ichigo replied as he stared at the floor.
"Ichigo your demeanor is quite different from the last time I saw you, did something happen recently to cause the drastic mood change?" Unohana asked as she wrote something down on her notepad.
"Well I just have a lot on my plate right now…" Ichigo replied as he avoided eye contact.
"Hmm, his mental state has regressed back to shortly after he first arrived, but what caused this change?" Unohana wondered as she wrote something else on her notepad. "Ichigo could you tell me about how things are going between you and the other members on your squad?" She asked.
"What's there to say? We work on endless stacks of paperwork and when they had that big mission last week, I stayed behind as per your mandate." Ichigo replied.
"Ichigo I meant could you tell me about your perspective of the individual officers in your squad?" Unohana asked but Ichigo began to shake at her question.
"Things are perfectly fine." Ichigo lied, and Unohana narrowed her eyes on him.
"That wasn't much of an answer." Unohana stated.
"Yeah well what are you expecting me to say? That after just two weeks I would be good friends with them? Well in case you haven't noticed I've had to reevaluate how I go about making friends…" Ichigo replied in a raised voice.
"Very well, then can you at least tell me about your relationship with Rukia Kuchiki?" Unohana asked, but Ichigo had heard enough and he abruptly stood up.
"You want to know about my relationship with her? The two of us aren't going to associate with each other anymore, and I believe that it is the best thing that could have happened, now if you excuse me, I have had enough of you probing my mind at the request of the old man. Some people are just screwed up, that's just how life is! It's cold and unfair, and I've simply ignored it in the hopes that I was wrong with what I've been feeling lately, just why the hell am I kidding myself in a meager attempt to repair my shattered life that no one seems to understand is never going to be happy again! I've lost all that I care about, and moving here was simply a means of hiding from the fact that my life has no point now!" Ichigo shouted.
"Is that really how you feel?" Unohana asked as she placed the notepad back into her desk.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you, it's just I've lost everything that I care about, and now I have absolutely nothing to live for. What point is there in going on with life if none of my friends are there with me?" Ichigo asked as he calmed back down.
"Ichigo this is something I usually never suggest to my patients, but have you ever drank before?" Unohana asked, but Ichigo shook his head. "I figured as much. Did you know that alcohol has an impressive effect on the mind? Now I'm not going to tell you to drown your sorrows in sake, and I don't want you to become an alcoholic, but I believe strongly that it might be in your best interest to do something to directly alter your mood, and while it's effects are only temporary, I think it might do your self-esteem wonders. Also I believe that Rukia may be the contributing factor in your low mood this morning, I think it would be best to sit the two of you down in the company of two responsible captains should a problem arise, and I think the two of you should, in the words of Shunsui, down a bottle or three." She explained with an amused smile, and Ichigo had to stop his jaw from slamming on the ground. "Would tonight be a suitable time for you?" She asked with the same smile.
By the time Ichigo left the Squad Four barracks his mental image of Unohana had been scarred forever, and he couldn't help but stumble whenever he thought about her suggestion as he made his way to the Squad Thirteen barracks. In fact he had been so occupied with what happened in her office that he didn't even notice Rukia's glares when he entered the office. "G-good afternoon everyone." He stated weakly as he took his usual seat between Sentaro and Rukia.
"Good afternoon my ass! Where the hell have you been?" Sentaro shouted as he slid Ichigo a stack of paperwork.
"Today was my second psychiatric evaluation, but I think I'll be mentally scarred for the rest of my life." Ichigo replied weakly.
"Why, what happened? Wait don't tell me Captain Unohana and my sister did weird mental experiments on you?" Kiyone spoke up.
"No, the mental experiment is tonight… Captain Unohana wants to get me drunk…" Ichigo replied and nearly everyone dropped their jaws.
"She what? Is Isane in on this?" Kiyone asked.
"No… Unohana just wants to see if it will help my mental state." Ichigo replied weakly.
"Why you seemed pretty on the level yesterday, did something happen?" Sentaro asked.
"Did something happen? I don't know who…" Ichigo replied drearily.
"Oh forget it! She must have done something to screw him up!" Kiyone shouted as she threw herself on her back. "We're probably not going to be able to rely on Ichigo to help with the paperwork today, so I'll do it for you Captain!" She exclaimed as she suddenly sat back up before reaching for the stack of papers in front of Ichigo.
"No Captain, I will do it for you!" Sentaro shouted as he grabbed for the stack as well.
"No I will do the papers for the work is the basis of a healthy society of souls…" Ichigo blurted out before grabbing the paperwork.
"Wow he seems really broken, are you sure you're getting drunk tonight, and aren't already drunk?" Kiyone asked.
"Sure as can be, right?" Ichigo asked as he looked over at Ukitake.
"Sure whatever you say Ichigo." Ukitake replied with a nervous smile.
"Oh enough of this! Just what the hell are you doing Ichigo!" Rukia shouted after losing her patience.
"What do you care? You shouldn't talk that way, people might start to think we're actually friends." Ichigo replied with a nasty glare.
"Whoa, what was that about?" Sentaro asked.
"Sentaro, Kiyone, I'm feeling a bit tired, could you help me to my room?" Ukitake asked.
"Sure Captain…" Sentaro and Kiyone replied in unison before helping Ukitake leave the room.
"Well you didn't answer the question Rukia." Ichigo growled as he continued to glare at Rukia.
"Well you're right I don't care, act like a fool all you want, it doesn't concern me in the slightest. Now if you're capable of not being a complete idiot please tell Captain Ukitake that I had to go home for the day." Rukia replied coolly.
"Tell him yourself! I'm not your slave." Ichigo replied bitterly.
"No! Perhaps you heard wrong, but that was a direct order from your superior officer, and because you are an idiot I'll elaborate what that means, if you do not do as I say, I will report you to Squad Two at which point the stealth force will arrest you and you might even spend a few nights in the Tower of Penance. Now pass the message on to the captain when he returns, and while you're at it this paperwork will need to be completed. Now goodbye lowly fifth seat." Rukia replied bitterly before storming out of the room leaving Ichigo to drown in his own anger.
Ichigo was still fuming when he finished for the day, and in his state of anger he didn't even bid Sentaro or Kiyone farewell as he normally would. Ichigo was hurt, and angry, but he could not figure out a way to overcome the emotions he was feeling as he made his way back to the manor. "Tch, after what happened this morning would I even be welcome back here?" He wondered as he stood at the front door contemplating whether or not to go in. "Maybe I should just find a gutter to sleep in…" He thought as he turned to leave but then he stopped when he felt the presence of Unohana behind him just before the door opened.
"Oh Ichigo I thought that might have been you, hurry up and come inside so we can get started." Unohana stated, but Ichigo remained in the same place.
"Captain, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't think… No, I know that this can't work." Ichigo replied, but feeling the presence of Byakuya standing in the doorway made Ichigo turn around.
"Ichigo, Captain Unohana is the most respected practitioner of healing the Soul Society has ever seen. Believe me when I say this, if Unohana can't fix the problem between you and Rukia, I will surrender my manor to you for one decade." Byakuya stated forcing Ichigo to widen his eyes.
"N-no that wouldn't be necessary! Seriously, I just don't think we'll be able to stay in the same room for long, that's all. My opinion has nothing to do with Captain Unohana's proficiency, really." Ichigo replied flustered by what Byakuya had said.
"Well I'd say there's only one way to find out. Please come on in." Unohana stated as she held out a bottle of sake to Ichigo. "Really what do you have to lose?" She asked as Ichigo stared down at the bottle.
"And you're sure this will work?" Ichigo asked as he gave Unohana a skeptical look.
"Of course I am." Unohana replied before Ichigo took the bottle from her hand. "That a boy." She stated as she and Byakuya ushered him into the living room, where a very agitated though sober Rukia was sitting on a sofa.
"I think I'll just sit here." Ichigo muttered as he took a seat in one of two recliners. "So, I've never drank before, how do I begin?" He asked modestly as he looked up at Unohana who chuckled at his question.
"Here let me demonstrate." Unohana replied as she poured the sake into a small cup before downing it in one gulp. "It's as simple as that." She added on when she finished.
"You know I can honestly say this isn't how I envisioned my first drinking experience would be." Ichigo admitted as he poured the sake into another small cup. "Well, here I go." He uttered before downing the sake spurring a coughing fit after he swallowed. "Ugh, why on earth would anyone drink something this foul?" He exclaimed as he glared at the bottle of sake. "Ugh, seriously is it supposed to burn my throat… Speaking of burning, is it natural to feel like the reverse effect of being micro waved?" He asked.
"Hmm, you are experiencing the earliest stage of inebriation, but that is normal. Though in order for this exercise to work you're going to need a lot more than one cup." Unohana stated.
"You mean I have to drink more of this crap?" Ichigo asked.
"Hmm, perhaps Ichigo would be better with wine. I will get some from the cellar." Byakuya replied, and before someone could say zanpakuto he had returned with four bottles. "Here, you may find this easier on your throat than sake." He stated as he filled two wine glasses.
"Wait don't tell me you're going to drink with him." Rukia stated as she glared at her brother.
"No Rukia, not yet at least. This glass is for you." Byakuya stated as he handed the glasses up.
"Well I guess I'll give this a try." Ichigo stated before guzzling down the wine. "Hey! You're right, this does taste pretty good." He continued, and not wanting to be shown up by Ichigo, Rukia slammed her glass slightly quicker than Ichigo.
"Ha! I downed my drink faster than you!" Rukia shouted before pouring another glass.
"Huh, trying to make this a competition? Well I accept your challenge!" Ichigo shouted as he poured himself another glass before downing the dark purple drink.
"Why does everything need to be a competition with you, it was like that when you first met Uryu, it was like that when you and Renji came to rescue me, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if you looked at Aizen as just more competition." Rukia stated as she downed another glass.
"Not that it was a competition, but what's wrong with a little contest every once in a while?" Ichigo asked as he downed another glass as his head began to sway.
"There's nothing wrong with a simple contest until you make it personal." Rukia stated as she poured herself another glass.
"It's not that I intend for it to be personal, it's just… It's like when you're getting along with someone but then they come to a disagreement about something that isn't really important, and it explodes into a full on fight, you know?" Ichigo asked as he downed yet another glass.
"That's understandable I suppose, but is the disagreement due to keeping your pride worth losing a friend?" Rukia asked as she stared into her glass.
"No, it's not, I don't think there's anything that would excuse throwing away a precious friend. I just wish that they could see things the same way." Ichigo stated before taking a drink from his glass.
"Maybe they do see things that way, it's just they chose to not throw away their other friend." Rukia replied.
"I just don't understand why things happened the way they did… What's worse is feeling that this is something that can't be fixed once screwed up… I don't know how to undo what Tsukishima did, and worse than that… One of the only true friends I have left hates me." Ichigo stated as tears rolled down his face.
"I don't hate you Ichigo, it's just you make it easy for me to get mad at you… I mean it's been two weeks since we admitted to loving each other, but since the day after we've only acted as if it never happened. I mean, what are we to you?" Rukia asked as she stood up before walking over to the recliner before plopping down on Ichigo's lap.
"W-what are you d-doing?" Ichigo asked as he began to tremble.
"Oh relax, now answer my question. What am I to you?" Rukia asked as she looked up into Ichigo's eyes.
"Well, would "my girlfriend" be an acceptable answer?" Ichigo asked and a mischievous smile spread across Rukia's lips.
"Why don't you find out? Now I'll ask one more time, what am I to you?" Rukia asked.
"M-my girlfriend…" Ichigo replied nervously.
"Ah, now that wasn't so hard was it?" Rukia asked as she nestled in closer to Ichigo. "Ah yeah, this is nice, I like this spot." She uttered in a low volume.
"I guess it really wasn't… Hey Rukia alcohol has a strange power don't you think? My head keeps spinning." Ichigo stated.
"Yeah, pretty colors…" Rukia replied with a giggle. "Uh-oh, I'm not feeling to good…" She stated, and Ichigo could hear her stomach churning.
"Wait Rukia you wouldn't…" Ichigo stated, but before he could finish his statement Rukia vomited all over the front of his shihakusho. "Ugh… Lovely." He uttered as he fought back the urge to follow Rukia's example.
"I'm sorry…" Rukia uttered drearily as she wiped her mouth.
In the kitchen Byakuya was having a drink with Unohana when they heard the commotion in the living room. "Do you think we should have told them not to chug the wine?" Byakuya asked as he glanced in the direction of the living room.
"Probably, I can guarantee that they'll both have nasty hangovers tomorrow, of course I had a feeling that two first time drinkers would suffer from a hangover so I informed Jushiro that they would both be unable to work tomorrow. Though on more important matters, I believe that Ichigo's depression was just as you said, spurred by his argument with Rukia, though I can say that now he is doing much better than I had anticipated, so I think it will be acceptable for him to participate in missions here in the Soul Society, though as for the living world, I believe he still needs much progress before he's ready." Unohana stated.
"I'm pleased to hear that." Byakuya replied before taking another sip of his wine.
Back in the living room, Ichigo and Rukia were still sipping down on their wine. "So I wonder how much of this I have to drinks… Unohana didn't said." Ichigo stated, and Rukia started laughing. "What's funny?" He asked.
"You slurring words mades me laughs." Rukia stated as she slurred her words causing her to laugh even more. "Come to thought of it, you has vomit on your shi-shi, well on yours shirts, so we needs to get you out of its." She continued as she pulled apart Ichigo's shihakusho before dropping it on the floor. "There bye-bye vomits." She stated in a singsong voice.
"Hey you gots a little on you too." Ichigo pointed out as he pointed to a small section of Rukia's shihakusho covered in vomit.
"Oh you rights, well I needs to gets this off then." Rukia replied as she undid the top half of her shihakusho. "Hey should we move over to the couches? There would be more rooms over there." She pointed out. "I knows! We should sleeps on the couch tonight, would that be fun?" She asked.
"Uh… Yeah, that would be fun." Ichigo agreed absentmindedly.
"Right on! I'll go get the blankets!" Rukia exclaimed as she jumped up before stumbling over to the stairs before struggling to climb them as Ichigo stumbled over to the couch before falling face first.
"Oof." Ichigo mumbled as the couch muffled the sound before he struggled to roll over just as Rukia returned with a blanket while wearing a nightgown she had put on backwards. "Your clothes on backwards." He pointed out.
"Oh, you're right, I'll fix that in no times!" Rukia exclaimed before taking five minutes to turn it the right way forward. "Alright all done." She stated before laying down on top of Ichigo.
"Hey Rukia, are you still awake?" Ichigo asked as he leaned his head up.
"Yeah, but I am pretty tired." Rukia replied. "Why do you need to get up?" She asked with a pouting expression.
"No, I don't needs to gets up, I just wants to say I loves you." Ichigo stated modestly.
"Oh, that's so sweets, I loves you too… Strawberry." Rukia replied with a chuckle, and Ichigo couldn't help but laugh at the pun she made on is name, and within minutes they were both asleep.
Back in the kitchen, Byakuya became aware that there was nothing but silence in the living room, and when he went to investigate his eyebrow began to twitch at the discovery he and Unohana made. "This kid…" Byakuya stated as he gripped the handle of Senbonzakura.
"Byakuya don't, let them have this night… For one they're both sharing a touching moment that they won't remember the details to tomorrow anyway, and for two the thought of their reactions when they wake up tomorrow will be nothing short of priceless, wouldn't you agree?" Unohana asked.
"Fine, but this had better not become a habit, if only for his safety he will not defile my sister." Byakuya replied, and after that he went off to bed after allowing Unohana to sleep in another guest room, and in mere moments everyone was finally asleep.
Early the following morning Ichigo awoke with a splitting headache as he struggled to gain a bearing on his surroundings. "Oh, what happened last night?" He wondered as he struggled to sit up before realizing something was laying on top of him. "Wait…" He uttered as he struggled to see in the dark just what was on top of him, and then his eyes finally adjusted before spreading as wide as they possibly could. "Rukia! What the hell is she doing sleeping on top of me? What the hell happened last night? What the hell is going on?" He wondered as sweat began to pour just as Rukia began to wake up.
"Oh, my aching head…" Rukia uttered as she blankly stared into Ichigo's chest. "Huh, what is this? It's really firm… This isn't my bed is it?" She asked as she felt Ichigo's chest before looking up and seeing Ichigo's panic-stricken face. "Ichigo, what are you doing in my room, and in my bed no less?" She asked.
"Well I was actually wondering the same thing, after all you're on top of me, but do you notice anything strange here aside from the obvious?" Ichigo asked.
"Um, no…" Rukia replied as she struggled to keep herself from exploding with anger.
"Rukia, we're on a couch in the living room…" Ichigo replied.
"Huh… You're right… Do you remember how we ended up like this?" Rukia asked as she sat up.
"No, I was hoping you would…" Ichigo admitted.
"No, I don't… Weird…" Rukia stated, and a few seconds later the two began to laugh until their stomachs began to churn violently. "Oh no, I think I'm going to be sick…" She continued before leaning over the arm of the couch just in time to vomit all over the floor.
"Ugh, I just swallowed my vomit…" Ichigo uttered. "Rukia I don't think work will be happening today…" He stated as he stood up with the blanket wrapped around him.
"Yeah… I think we should go back to bed…" Rukia replied as she wiped her mouth off. "So my room or your room?" She asked and Ichigo gave her a confused look. "Oh don't be shy now, last night we both obviously decided to sleep on the couch together, and it's not like we'd be doing anything we shouldn't, so it will be fine." She reasoned.
"I think you might still be a little drunk, what do you think Byakuya would say if he caught me in your room?" Ichigo asked as he stumbled up the stairs.
"Good point… So your room it is." Rukia reasoned.
"Fine…" Ichigo stated with a heavy sigh as the two laid down on his futon. "Something tells me that this argument isn't really worth winning." He thought as he and Rukia drifted back off to sleep.
Chapter 3 end - Due to some technical difficulties over the past day or two (I've been up for close to forty hours) I lost what I had written for this chapter twice, I guess third time really is the charm, anyway I know I said that I would advance the story by a few years, but I forgot about the psychiatric evaluations so it didn't seem feasible to me anymore, but I like the way this chapter turned out, I feel like I came pretty close to the natural characters of Ichigo and Rukia, though on a side note I noticed that the name Ichigo sounds like you're saying "each ego" not really relevant but funny slightly maybe possibly. Anyway please review and if my computer lets me I will get started on chapter 4 ASAP
(Shunpo to get more wine, I can I'm twenty-two, remember please drink responsibly, and unlike Ichigo don't drink underage, it is illegal and you will get arrested)
Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, Tite Kubo is the man who created this glorious manga/anime
