AUTUMN HUES

~Tensai - Teki Kuroneko~

Chapter 4~! Already? I loved writing this one, and this one is better than the last chapter, I think. The last one was kind of flimsy. Hope you all like it!

Date published: 15th June 2012.
Interval: 19 days.

No. of reviews: 11. (Double digits? That is the maximum number of I have ever got for a story so far~! Thanks!)
No. of people who opted for Story Alerts: 10.


One early morning in the Kurosaki household, Yuzu was throwing a tantrum.

"Onii-chan! Take an umbrella with you!"

"Come on Yuzu, the forecast said that the sky would be clear today." Karin reasoned without looking up from the food.

"Karin! I can smell the rain! You are taking an umbrella with you, Onii chan!"

"But Yuzu..." Ichigo hesitated a little.

"No buts! What if you fall sick, onii-chan? It is only a week since you started going back to school! You can't miss any more classes!"

"Ichi-nii, take it with you or we won't get any food tonight." Karin advised.

"Alright, alright. Only for you, Yuzu. See you guys at the afternoon. Bye!" Ichigo rushed off after picking up a translucent umbrella from the stand.

...

Ichigo sulked as he noticed the dark Nimbostratus clouds accumulating in the sky. There were two periods still left, so the probability of a heavy downpour when the school ends was quite high. Ichigo was not fond of the rains, so he was particularly thankful to Yuzu to force to take an umbrella. At least he won't get wet.

As far as Ichigo was concerned, the rains were responsible for taking away any speck of happiness from his life, leaving him to fall in a deep well of sadness and despair.

It was not like the class wasn't interesting. The problem was that the last bench near the window was a place where it was pretty difficult to concentrate. Kagami sensei was teaching physics in his unique style as usual, with examples from manga and as such. Currently he was explaining a student on how the science they study at school isn't absolute and how a well established theory could be disproved within a second with sufficient proof.

Rukia was sitting right in front of him taking notes, clearly very engrossed in the lecture. She was occasionally peeping out of the window, looking at the sky and then shifting her gaze back towards the blackboard. Since that art room incident, Ichigo had not asked her anything about the matter. He didn't want to interfere. Besides, he was not troubled anymore, since Rukia was not behaving awkwardly, perhaps getting more comfortable around him. Ichigo felt drowsy as the moist breeze hit him and yawned. It was going to be a long class.

...

Ichigo stood staring at the heavy downpour for a few minutes at the door with the umbrella in his hand. He didn't want to walk in the rain and thought of sitting in the library, but decided against it. He would be in a big trouble if he lost the track of time. He had to go home as soon as possible since Oyaji had work in the hospital today and his sisters were alone in the house. With a frown, he pressed the parasol closer and started walking in the rain.

Ichigo walked hurriedly, avoiding the busy lanes and the puddles as much as he could, though he felt the wetness getting into his already folded trouser ends and sleeves. This was until he was drenched by the muddy water splashed by a speeding car. Ichigo grimaced and slowed down his pace.

Rukia was walking home, pondering over everything she had to do after the class. The rain had started moments ago.

Rukia... hated rain. The rains had taken away everything she ever had... at last abandoning her to overwhelming misery.

She was walking through the lanes when her foot struck a basket. As she looked down, her eyes widened in surprise. There was a small white rabbit huddling in the corner of the basket desperately trying to protect itself. By instinct, Rukia crouched beside the basket and moved her parasol to cover the bunny.

"I wonder who left you here in this weather..." Rukia spoke to the rabbit. She sat there for a few minutes, watching the antics of the animal. It twitched its ears and curiously stared at Rukia with its red eyes, which made her laugh.

"Little frisky Chappy, aren't you?"

'I think I'll leave the umbrella here... perhaps someone who can keep the rabbit would pass by soon enough.' Rukia thought to herself and sighed.

"Try to remain dry till then, Chappy." Rukia shifted her umbrella away and prepared herself to be struck by the cold raindrops... if they did come.

"What kind of a name is Chappy?"

Rukia looked upwards to see Ichigo holding an umbrella over her head. He was looking at her and smirking in amusement. She instantly planted the umbrella in the basket, got up and faced him sternly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Walking home."

"And why are you smirking?"

"I rarely get an opportunity to watch someone talking to a rabbit."

Rukia flushed in embarrassment.

"None of your business." Rukia defended herself.

"I guess... But you didn't answer... what does Chappy mean?" Ichigo sighed knowing that the conversation wouldn't take them anywhere.

"Ummm... I kind of combined 'cute' and 'happy'..."

"That is... quite ingenious." Ichigo said, making Rukia squirm at the sarcasm.

"Sure it is."

"What is this little thing doing here?"

"Well... I was passing by when I found it. It seems like a heartless owner left it here." Rukia said the last sentence bitterly. She soon sensed Ichigo's questioning gaze and added;

"I can't take it with myself because there is no one to take care of it at home."

"Ahh... But you would surely get a cold if you walk without an umbrella." Ichigo said, with a tint of worry in his voice.

"I can't leave it as it is, can I?"

Ichigo looked towards Rukia deep into her violet orbs. She looked back. Sighing, Ichigo said;

"Seems like I have no choice."

Ichigo let out a deep breath and stooped over to picked up the basket and the umbrella. He handed the umbrella to Rukia.

"What are you doing?" Rukia asked, still wide-eyed.

"Taking it home." Ichigo said, nonchalantly.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I have two little sisters in middle school. They come back from the school much earlier... so they can take care of it. I am sure we can keep it." Ichigo replied.

Rukia searched for words and stuttered a bit, "Ahh... Thats... Its... really nice of you. Thank you."

"Sure. Anytime. Besides, I would have taken it with me anyway."

"Liar." Rukia whispered.

"That was harsh."

"It wasn't."

"Was."

"I said wasn't."

Ichigo's retort was interrupted by another speeding car splashing water on them. Both of them were soaked.

"Damn it! It happened the second time today!" Ichigo exclaimed.

"The rabbit didn't get wet, I hope?"

Ichigo was astonished. Rukia was drenched from head to toe in dirty water and was shivering. Even in her state, rather than expressing her anger, making a fuss and wiping the mud off her face and hands, she was worried about a little rabbit that she just met? To top it all, there was no frustration but just genuine concern for the rabbit in her voice!

Rukia examined the rabbit.

"Its not dirty, just a little wet. Take it home now!"

"What about you?"

"I am not that weak, you know?"

"Then why are you shivering?"

"I am just a little cold. A warm shower will set me alright. Now, stop arguing and go! Little Chappy needs to get warmth as soon as possible!"

"Hai, hai. See you tomorrow, hopefully."

"Bye!"

Rukia turned to leave... not before turning around again and getting a glimpse of the orange haired idiot's back.

"Bakamono."

Rukia smirked as she walked away.


There~! Fourth chapter done. There can exist no IchiRuki fluff without Chappy! XD My favorite chapter so far. So, here is a question: Do you guys want a chapter about how the Kurosaki family introduces themselves to the rabbit now? Or should I continue with IchiRuki and put the reaction later? Please tell me in your reviews. Thanks a lot, people!

Cheers for people who recognized Kagami sensei from the awesome 'Denpa Kyoushi' manga.

Reviewing shall be highly appreciated.

Till next Update,

Nyaaa~ ne!

TTK