Another bit of the story, because I'm on a spree-maybe it helps that my exams are just over, too, or who knows what? I love the idea of a nerdy Uryuu reciting quotes from books to Orihime, so there!
As always, reviews are welcomed :3 I hope you enjoy this!
Disclaimer: Uryuu, Orihime, Rukia, Ichigo and Renji belong to Tite Kubo.
Also, Pip, Estella and that quote Uryuu was supposed to recite is from Charles Dickens' "Great expectations".
It was already close to noon, when Orihime, satchel and suitcase at hand, stepped out of her house. Everything was ready, and she only needed to go to the train station and take the next train for the airport. She figured she would catch a cab, so she walked to the street and waited patiently for the first cab available. Instead of a cab though, in front of her stopped a familiar silver jeep, and the passenger's seat window opened, revealing the face of Uryuu, smirking at her. She blinked, thinking why he wasn't in the hospital, but before she opened her mouth to form the question, he answered it for her.
"Hop in, Inoue-san. I'm on my lunch break and I'm sure I won't be needed for a bit, so I came to take you to the station."
She smiled brightly at him, and before she could manage to take her things to the car, he had already done so, plus he had opened the door for her to climb in the car. She hopped in and fastened her seatbelt, while he sat on the other end, cool and dignified as always.
"My god, Ishida-kun!" she giggled, looking at him, putting on a pair of dark sunglasses. He held the wheel with one hand, and as she looked at him, he looked so sure, so mature… so charming. "You look like a male fashion model or something!" she stated in a matter-of-fact tone, and his face turned deep red. She watched at his attempts to cover his embarrassment with an amused expression. Finally, he cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Well, thank you Inoue-san. So…Is this it? Are you ready?"
"Full ready!" Orihime chirped happily and brushed her bangs back with her hand. "I have my papers, money and everything! I also got things for my amusement on the trip!" she fished the book from her satchel and showed it proudly at him. He only glanced at it and smiled. "I take it that you liked that book, Inoue-san?" he asked, the slightest tint of pride in his voice.
"What are you talking about? I loved it! I feel so bad for poor Pip, I always wish for him to get with Estella!". At this remark, Uryuu smiled a bit too bitterly. He always thought of Orihime as Estella in his mind. He looked ahead and quoted a bit from the book:
"The unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I love her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me, than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection."
Orihime turned to look at him, quite amazed by the fact that he could recite parts of the book. There was something more in the admiration she felt at that moment, though she could not bring the words to express it. His voice sounded soft, but stern… Almost as if he were in pain. He sounds like he's Pip himself…Does this mean he knows what Pip is feeling? She didn't allow herself to ponder more at that, as she kept on looking at him in awe. "You make a fine narrator, Ishida-kun! Here's the deal, one day you'll get to read me a bit! Please?"
The raven-haired man felt pride swelling up in his chest at her remarks. At least she appreciates me…That's something. "Sure I will, Inoue-san. Once you come back from America, we can arrange that. When you will be back, by the way?"
"In about three weeks' time, Ishida-kun. Since I decided to make this surprise trip, I might as well enjoy it till the last moment!"
Uryuu blinked, feeling utterly confused. "Surprise? But I thought…
"Noooo, no! I didn't tell Ichigo about my trip! He'll just wake up and see me outside his door!" She grinned excitedly. "Wouldn't that be sweet?"
"I guess so, yes…" You bastard Kurosaki, you better treat her like a princess. Who else would travel across the world for your sorry ass?
They eventually reached the airport, and no matter what, Uryuu felt gloomy. He was going to miss seeing her so much…But she was too excited, and he could only pretend he was, too. He helped her get off the jeep, then took her suitcase, and rejecting her high-pitched pleads for her to carry it- "I can do it alone, Ishida-kun! You already brought me, you don't have to carry my things, too!" -, he still insisted on helping her carry it all the way to the check-in. He waited patiently as she got her ticket and gave her suitcase to the clerks, then walked her to the departure gate. As he was ready to wish her a good trip and leave, she suddenly snuggled close at him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Letting out a gasp, he awkwardly wrapped his own arms around her back and held her close, trying hard to stay calm.
She didn't seem to notice his anguish as she mumbled at him. "I'll miss you, Ishida-kun! Thank you for everything!"
"You're welcome, Inoue-san. I'm always at your services, you know that." He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in her soft, fruity scent. Guess I can't complain…Even this can make me happy, since it's the most I could ever hope. His words earned him a giggle and she pulled away, readjusting the satchel strap in her shoulder. "You sound like some kind of knight! How nice…Well, I think it's time to go…I'll see you soon!"
"Have a safe trip, Inoue-san. And have fun at America." With that ungrateful bastard…Oh, Orihime…
"I will, don't worry!" she grinned at him, a reassuring smile, all bright and warm. She waved cheerily and stepped into the gate, towards the plane that would take her away. As soon as she was out of sight, he sighed deeply and walked away, heading straight for his car. Once he sat on his seat, he let his head fall on the steering wheel and he let out a groan of frustration. Orihime… At this moment, he realized his clothes still had her scent on them. He carefully brought the soft fabric on his face and smiled, as her scent filled his nostrils. How long would it be till he stopped getting intoxicated in that? That's something he didn't want to know. For now, this was more than enough. He smiled to himself and turned the car on, heading back to the hospital. Ryuuken would throw a fit for abandoning the hospital, especially now that it was so crowded, but he didn't care now. She hugged me, she smiled at me…I'm ready to face anything now.
On the other side of the world now, Renji was at a café, waiting for Rukia. He had called her on the phone, stating something serious was going on, and that he wanted to see her. He didn't have to wait for long, before Rukia rushed into the café, her hair all tousled up, panting and groaning. With a bit of effort, she approached the table where Renji was sitting, and looked at him in question.
"R-Renji!What's going on? Are you okay?" she started asking, but right then , Renji dismissed her words with a wave of his hand. "Just sit down Rukia, I want to tell you something." She complied obediently, trying to figure out what was the deal with him-and he didn't fail to surprise her.
"I'm moving out of Ichigo's. Just so you know. I'm going to a hotel for a few days, then I'm getting my own place."
"What?!But why? Where are we going?" she mumbled, trying to process the information in her mind. They'd leave Ichigo, and she wouldn't be able to spend time with him like they did so far, that thought was awful to her mind.
"I didn't say WE are moving out…" he mumbled, trying hard to sound calm. "I'M moving out. You'll keep living with Ichigo. For your information, I'm not blind. I've seen how you two act around each other, so I decided to move out of the way before you throw me out. I guess it was good while it lasted and all, but now I'll be leaving.". He took a ten-dollar bill out of his pocket and left it on the table, for the serving girl. Rukia was still staring at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open, as if she was ready to say something. "Close your mouth Rukia, it's not a nice sight to see you like this."
"Renji…", that was all that Rukia could mutter before he stopped her once again. "What? Do you really think I'm a fool? Or blind? Give me a break… If I were wrong, you would have protested already. Anyway, I'm going home to pack my things. It won't take long, but keep Ichigo away until I finish." He smiled a bit at her and stood up, grabbing his sack. "For the sake of the past though, I'll be friends with you, but not now. See ya, Rukia. "
As she watched him leaving the café, Rukia hid her face in her hands, if only to regain her composure. Renji knew…And he left for my sake. She would have to think about it later, but right now, she needed to let Renji to his own devices, so he could calm down. She knew she was right though, her attraction to Ichigo was something she wasn't able to suppress anymore. Oh, screw all this…
She finally decided on having a cup of strong coffee, to keep her up and about, then call Ichigo on the phone.