A/N: Waaah! So this turned out waaay longer than expected. I'm sure no one would mind though. lol. No new terms in this chapter.
Quite obviously here are the names so far
Main:
Ishida: Atotori- means heir in Japanese
Orihime: Mechahime- the name of her future robot self
Ichigo: Shingetsu- means new moon in Japanese
Tatsuki: Katudo- Ka means fire in Japanese and Tudo is a form of mixed martial arts
Sub-guild members (Not really important but in case anyone is curious):
Chad: delRosa- de la Rosa is the name of the cockatoo he saves
Keigo: keijuan- Don Juan is a famous self proclaimed lady killer so he meshed both their names together
Chizuru: Aikoi- Ai and Koi both mean love in Japanese (love love)
4It's Dangerous to Go Alone
An arrow erupted and glittering white dusted the sky under a sliver of moon peeking between heavy clouds. Uryu stood breathless in the street with the sleek, glowing bow at his side. The Hollow vanquished but the glimmer remained, falling from the eliminated heavens. He blinked as a flake hit his glasses and splashed away. Another graced his cheek and Uryu lifted his free hand to brush at it. Snow; the falling dust wasn't ash from a Hollow. It dropped in slow motion, suspending briefly in the air before melting on the warmer concrete.
The sudden chill nipping him back into reality and he spun on his heels and ran the way he had come. Just as his luck seemed to be these days a Hollow decided to show up at the end of a decent night. Now He was racing eagerly towards the online world. If he had it timed just right he could make it back three minutes before the game auto logged him out. The combination of hot blood flowing and the slow chill keeping him from analyzing anything other than getting back on time.
Uryu flung the door closed, kicked off the slightly wet shoes and unzipped his favorite white hoodie all in the same motion. He tossed it towards the coat rack without looking. After so many times he knew it would catch, even if a little awkwardly. His feet thudded as he jumped up the stairs two at a time; the carpet felt extra warm through his cool socks. Landing in his chair, Uryu swiveled around and started typing.
/Atotori: Okay, I'm back./
He glanced about at the darkened screen and tilted his head. His character looked alone. Then he saw a shimmer in the night road. It stopped but the silver armor unmistakable. Another look told him all he needed to know.
/Atotori: Oh, it's just you?/ Uryu couldn't help but type a bit sarcastically. Somehow it amazed him that Shingetsu caught up on that.
/Shingetsu: Well ok then…/
In that small moment, he was unsure on what to do. They had never been alone before. Let alone had a conversation in which ended with one of them logging off. Uryu frowned as he rubbed his fingertips over the slightly raised keys of his laptop and stared at the game. That was when he saw it. Or rather them. Sprayed around his yawning character laid remnants of fallen and fading foes. Usually main roads were safe but one could never be too careful of a wondering beast, especially when the area turned to night. He typed slowly to match his realization.
/Atotori: Wait…
/Atotori: Where you… protecting my character?/
The answer wasn't immediate but after a few moments passed Uryu started to fidget. Maybe it was a bad idea to ask. His scowl deepened right before the game chimed and his gaze shot towards the chat.
/Shingetsu: Hime-chan had to go. So yeah…/
The pause apprehensive in his chest, it created a low thud and he swallowed.
/Shingetsu: I got bored/
Uryu let out his breath and the pressure returned to normal. Without a word he pressed Atotori down the road. Of course he would-
/Shingetsu: Wait/
The silver clad swordsman raced to catch up, stopping right next to his character. Uryu blinked at the chat as the other finally continued.
/Shingetsu: Thank you/
/Atotori: For what?/
/Shingetsu: Saving my ass
/Shingetsu: And putting up with me/
/Atotori: Oh.
/Atotori: I wouldn't go that far…/
/Shingetsu: Heh, maybe not but still thanks/
Uryu caught himself smiling. A lopsided one at best but pulled it down quickly all the same, thankful that the guy on the other side couldn't see it. Then a thought occurred to him. Is Shingetsu even a guy? He shook his head. It wasn't like he was actually curious to find out. Not knowing what else to say, Uryu continued down the path towards the safe town. Shingetsu followed in silence.
/Shingetsu: Let me make it up to you/ The chat chimed when they reached the little farm town. NPCs inside their snug homes waiting until morning to tend to the fields and market, only the main ones stood vigil. The music and game noises chirping quietly in a set mood.
/Atotori: Er, why?/
/Shingetsu: Because I have a feeling I've been a jerk/
Uryu snorted. /Atotori: Mildly./ How does he not know? Weirdo.
/Shingetsu: Will you be on tomorrow?/
He took a moment, thinking about what the not so invitation might entail. /Atotori: Maybe./
/Shingetsu: Well I hope so/
Hitting the escape key, he brought up the manual logout menu and clicked the option. With a methodical motion, Uryu powered down his computer and shut the lid. He stood up and stepped away from his desk. Half way across the room he glanced back. It felt as though the laptop stared back and he bit at his lower lip. Maybe, Uryu told himself. I said maybe. Only a fool would hope otherwise.
The morning came, not quickly nor drawn out. He opened his eyes and it just was. And all Uryu did was lay there staring out at the fuzzy world. His room a bright soft blue from the morning light. It looked as warm as his cocooned comforter felt. The dawn of a new day deceivingly inviting. So he laid, curled up and blinking at the unfocused colors that made up his room, too afraid of the cold feel of his glasses that sat on his nightstand and the tiled floor of his bathroom down the hall. No, that's not what you're really afraid of. He snorted at himself and shifted his gaze towards his desk. This is stupid; just get up.
Slowly Uryu slid from the covers. His glasses were cool but warmed quickly once they were upon his face. Taking one of the many blankets he had piled up the night been, Uryu wrapped himself up and carefully sat in his chair. The computer took it's time in the colder weather to boot up. Keys clicked softly as he entered in his information. It felt like an eternity to watch the screen change. Then again the anxiety building in his stomach wanted to prolong the inevitable.
He found himself alone, the farm town whisking gently as the NPCs went about their business. The artificial sun dipping low signifying the transition into an evening cycle. Uryu let out a breath feeling both relieved and a little disappointed. Shaking his head, there was no way in hell he was disappointed in not seeing him online.
Uryu moved Atotori towards the other end of town were an airship commuted to and from a select few main cities. He rode the blimp towards the castled city high in the mountains. It loomed in a low fog on a little island. The lush green trees guarded the fortresses and the blades of grass and prickly leaves sported drops of dew that fluttered about when Atotori raced across the little bit of field from the airship station. Here he could sell and trade out the items clogging his inventory. Not to mention scope out the next sets of armor and spells. And there were plenty of unclaimed quests he could accomplish in the area. It was odd going at it alone. Orihime had yet to log on and he hadn't texted her to find out when that would be. Yet getting online just seemed like the thing to do.
After a bit of trudging about, Uryu felt awake enough to brave the cold house. Rushing to the restroom and taking the stairs two at a time to grab a drink and the extra raspberry Danish from yesterday evening. It might not have been as fresh but the pastry still flaked and the gooey center stuck to his fingers as he washed it down with a glass of cranberry juice curtsy of Ryuken and his strange health nut expedition. He didn't get it, the man was barely home enough for it to matter.
Clean, full and alert, Uryu snuggled into his desk chair and prepared to launch himself into a good dose of being socially normal as he would call it. With a strange ease he went about accepting the area starter quests. Half way out of the castled city he stopped, realizing his smile. It was the first time he had gotten online by himself. Orihime had always been there in some way. It's only until the end of the week. The self reminder made him blink blankly at the screen. It sent a jolt of panic from his fingers to down his spine as he tried to rationalize it. It's early enough. He won't be on. I'm sure of it. It's only until Arisawa-san returns. It's only until next-
The game gave a unique clunky chime over the low cheerful game music. Hands posed over the keyboard and mouse, Uryu froze on spot. His eyes darted to the left corner when the first chime was followed by a higher pitched one. He breathed in and out steadily. This if crazy! I'm not scared of some online game weirdo! Shaking his head in determination, Uryu let his focus stray to the chat.
/Shingetsu: Oh, good morning
/Shingetsu: I didn't expect you to be on./
Uryu narrowed his gaze. He could ignore the chat yet… In the very least it wasn't a private message. He had to give him that much credit. /Atotori: Yeah well I've always been a morning person./
/Shingetsu: Oh really?/ He felt himself wince at the way Shingetsu sounded interested in the little bit of information he let slip. /That's good to know, right?/
/Atotori: Uhh, sure?/ Uryu deadpanned.
The chat fell silent and Uryu sighed. He continued on the path into the tall, prickly leaved forest to fulfill the requirements of his quests and started slaying the creatures as he went.
/Shingetsu: Say, you aren't doing quests by yourself are you?/
/Atotori: Does it matter what I'm doing?/
/Shingetsu: No, but you shouldn't do it alone/
The game chimed and a window popped up in the middle of his screen: Shingetsu would like to join party. He frowned and moved his mouse over to click the deny button.
/Shingetsu: It'll go faster with help/
Uryu sat there not answering but hovering the mouse over the message box. He could log out now and just be done with it all.
/Shingetsu: Look, I told you I'd make it up to you./
With a long sigh, he pushed the mouse over and pressed the accept button. /Atotori: I guess./ The swordsman's status bars appeared bellow his and a little blue arrow on his minimap pointed in the direction of the new party member.
/Shingetsu: Cool, I'll be right there/
Uryu leaned his head back against his chair. This game is going to be the death of me. For if it wasn't curiosity then he didn't know what it was.
/Shingetsu: So… you're a morning person?/
He itched between ignoring the question and answering bluntly. If it had been in person he would have already done the later. Here, things felt a bit more guarded and at the same time Uryu felt like he could be as open about anything and not be taken too seriously. So he paused to think, letting Atotori sway in place and Shingetsu standing next to his character waiting.
/Atotori: Why do you want to know?/
A moment passed before the swordsman replied. /Shingetsu: Idk, would you believe me if I said it was just curiosity?/
/Atotori: You know, you ask a lot of questions./
/Shingetsu: And you dodge them/
/Atotori: It's just who I am. I'm not good at small talk./
/Shingetsu: I don't really believe that./
Uryu stared. How odd the banter felt easy and yet so tensely familiar. He moved Atotori while thinking about how it could mean nothing or everything.
/Shingetsu: If you don't want to answer its fine/
/Atotori: No./ He typed too quickly.
/Atotori: Yes
/Atotori: I mean/ Uryu stumbled with the keys as he did his thoughts.
/Shingetsu: Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable/
He frowned. Despite Shingetsu's overall rambunctious attitude… /Atotori: Its just…
/Atotori: I was under the impression that people rarely speak about their real lives on an RP server./
/Shingetsu: Hmm, well for the most part
/Shingetsu: But mostly those on the more strict serves don't go out of full character. This one is a bit more casual so most people don't mind if you slip up. If you think about it though, you can be whomever you want online without anyone to question you./
Uryu started with surprise. He certainly wasn't expecting that kind of wisdom coming from someone with a personality like Shingetsu's. /Atotori: Huh, well I guess that does make sense./ Uryu pondered as he walked Atotori up to a man standing in the forest with a bobbing, green exclamation point above his head. He handed over the animal pelts for the quest and accepted the reward and another mission to help out the poor hunter.
/Shingetsu: So I guess no questions then?/
/Atotori: Are you really that curious about me?/
/Shingetsu: Would it be awkward if I said yes?/
Uryu thought about it. He chewed absently on his bottom lip. At this rate, he was going to either tear a hole threw it or cut it raw. /Atotori: I don't know if I could deal with playing twenty questions. I'd still like to gain some levels today./ Was it weird that he had a feeling that he was stuck with Shingetsu for the better part of the day's gaming session?
/Shingetsu: Well, how about this
/Shingetsu: Every time we complete a quest for you I get to ask one/
He read the chat carefully. Sighing he typed back. /Atotori: Ok, that sounds reasonable./ He was either crazy or much too curious himself.
/Atotori: But let's set some rules./
/Shingetsu: Sure./
/Atotori: Only one per quest./
/Shingetsu: Okay/
/Atotori: I won't reveal my RL identity./
/Shingetsu: I wouldn't expect you to/
/Atotori: I get one question in return./
/Shingetsu: Of course it should go both ways/
/Atotori: If at any time you ask a question that makes me uncomfortable, I don't have to answer./
A short pause followed and Uryu tapped his foot impatiently. If he was going to do this then he certainly wasn't going to be conned into answering question he'd rather not speak about. I don't need some pervy old dude asking how I masturbate or what I'm wearing every day. Besides, he only had to deal with it when they ended up alone until the end of the week. Then he'd be scot free from the online game world.
/Shingetsu: Understandable. But I get to ask something else./
With a sigh of relief Uryu answered. /Atotori: We are in agreement then./
/Shingetsu: Alright then!
/Shingetsu: And since you just turned in a quest I get to ask my first question/
/Atotori: I suppose…/ He hadn't expected that.
/Shingetsu: How come you're a morning person?/
Really? That? He smiled and shook his head. Maybe it wasn't going to be bad after all. Maybe he was just as crazy and curious as he thought.
It was well past mid-day when Ichigo finally took a break. He had to stretch his legs and silence the perpetual growl coming from his stomach. The frown caught him off guard when he got the courage to get up. Never in a wild moment did he think of finding himself fawning after some random person online. They had even started making progress in not sniping at each other every five minutes. The almost coy sounding 'maybe' he got when he asked if she'd be online later made Ichigo take a moment. Dear God, are we… flirting? Not that Ichigo flirted with just anyone. Or at all for that matter.
As he chewed on the sandwich and pickled prunes Yuzu left him in the fridge Ichigo complicated on their conversation. Sure it had been him who suggested the question game. And even though he made sure to steer clear of any sort of question about her personal appearance, and vice versa, Ichigo felt naked and vulnerable in front of the quick wit and stoic tongue of Atotori. It made him tingle with a strange excitement that someone could keep up with his unusually sarcastic personality.
His questions were simple: Why was she a morning person (she'd get up to run before class); what was her favorite pass time (reading and sewing); did she have any pets (no, but always wanted a cat); what did she plan to study at uni (medicine); the list of questions Ichigo wanted to ask started to grow. He itched to chat into depth about each topic but forced himself to leave a bit of mystery about the little archer. It was difficult though as her questions normally posed in similarity to his. Why couldn't they just launch into deep conversation about random topics as if they were talking over weekend brunch and sweets?
Ichigo rolled the thought over in his mind trying to find a way to ask. But as he sat brooding, his family returned all smiles and loud banter and by the time he made his escape back to his room of solitude it was evening. Mechahime and the others were all on and he lost face, his mouth turned dry and he mildly indulge in the regular conversation between the guild members wishing he could get the courage to privately message Atotori. Even so, their little question game would be null and void seeing as he wasn't helping her with quests. He would just have to wait until the next day and hope they would find time alone.
When the morning came, Ichigo found himself wide eyed and unusually alert without the help of his father's attempt at being a human alarm clock. And was delightfully surprised to find Atotori being the one to greet him first as he logged in. Of course he teased at the possibility that she hadn't slept at all and stayed on, despite that she had logged off before he had last night. Her wit was about her even in the early AM and the casual remarks and party invite made him smile triumphantly. Perhaps he wasn't the only one actually flirting.
The next two days followed as such and Ichigo pushed back the overwhelming desire to go beyond their little game. He found that he was enjoying himself already and that if he did push too far, Atotori might respond negatively. If anything Ichigo hoped that eventually she'd loosen up to him and make the first move. At the thought he remembered something important, something that Mechahime and Atotori had talked about a few times. It came crashing, crushing him in a fit of sadness. That evening he spoke very little to her. It wasn't difficult with everyone demanding attention at random intervals. Still, it soured his mood and he found himself mindlessly farming frost giants on the snowy mountain tops yet again. Ichigo became so entrapped with the task that when his chat chimed it made him jump.
/Atotori: You've been unusual quite this evening./
He glanced twice to make sure he was seeing things right. It was late and most of the younger guild members had logged off for the day but the unmistakable blue lettered name told him it was indeed a private message. Ichigo felt his heart rate thud thicker than normal.
/Shingetsu: Sorry, I've got something on my mind/
/Atotori: That's unlike you, what's going on?/
/Shingetsu: Oh nothing really/ Ichigo sat there thinking. Shingetsu stood in the middle of the field. He was sure his character felt as unprotected as he did right then.
/Shingetsu: Tomorrow is your last day isn't it/
/Atotori: Yeah./ There was a pause before her answer. He sighed knowing that it wasn't going to be anything else.
/Atotori: Is that what you're thinking about?/
It was yet… /Shingetsu: Actually
/Shingetsu: I wanted to ask you something but…/ They weren't playing their little question quest.
/Atotori: Well, I guess one more won't hurt today. But just one, it's pretty late./
It was like she understood what he meant. Ichigo's smile was sad. And he thought. Ask her to keep playing. Ask her to stay online.
/Shingetsu: Is it ok?
/Shingetsu: If I call you Tori-ko that is./
A long moment passed and he faceplanted against his desk next to his laptop. You're an idiot, you know that? The fucking world gives you one damn chance and you go and ask if you can call her by some stupid, lame-ass nick-
/Atotori: I guess I don't see why not./
He blinked, literally stared dumbly at the words on his screen.
/Atotori: Well, that is if you don't mind if I call you Moony./
/Shingetsu: Sure
/Shingetsu: I never told you how cleaver it actually was/ Ichigo couldn't help but smile. It felt as though whomever controlled Atotori was giggling on the other end. And he liked the idea.
/Atotori: Thank you./ Plain and simple, it probably held more meaning then what it said on the surface.
/Atotori: Goodnight, Moony-kun./
/Shingetsu: Goodnight, Tori-ko/
Then there was nothing. Only the wispy wind of the frozen mountain pass. And the low keyed game music continued as if nothing ever happened. Ichigo stayed alone, Shingetsu shivered under the cold and he had half a mind to walk back to a little camp that served as the area's safe zone. The man in a fur coat and yak as a pack mule poked at the fire snugged between two rocky walls paid him no heed. There he remained until the game auto logged him out and he all but crawled into bed without changing.
The next day came and went and Ichigo stayed clear of his computer. Instead he tried to finish up an assignment his teacher had left them to complete over the break. And while he had always enjoyed British literature in an art form, it seemed bland over the zealous intellect of Atotori. The late afternoon brought a bright sun and Isshin decided that it was time to have a family bounding moment. With a snuff decline the old man was in a pool of tears as Ichigo dragged himself back to his room where his computer stared.
Goodbyes were just not his thing and he waited. The morrow came again without much ceremony. It was only then that Ichigo could bring himself to turn on his laptop. With heavy fingers, he logged into the empty online game world and sighed. As the screen faded in and Shingetsu's armor shown bright against the stark white a window popped up catching his attention. He had to read it four times just to make sure he hadn't gone crazy.
Atotori would like to be friends.