After Din-Din...
"Well that was interesting," Ichigo sighed as he headed towards the bath.
The dinner had gone well enough all things considered. Uzume hadn't
crowded him too much, and Miya was a pleasant conversationalist. There
were, however, just a few things that he couldn't shake off from the whole
evening.
Such as some of the things Miya had asked him about his relation with
Uzume. Some of the questions he really struggled to answer in a way that
wouldn't imply either him or Uzume's status as a sekirei. But even through
all that, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being interviewed by a
mother inquiring about her daughter's latest boyfriend.
He groaned as he closed the door and removed his clothes. The whole day
had been odd enough, and he was just glad enough that it would be ending
soon enough. And as such he allowed his thoughts to empty as he filled
the tub and then got in.
As Ichigo sat in the hot water, he allowed the water to relax his slightly
tired muscles. Letting out a satisfied moan, he submerged his head below
the water for a moment. When he returned to the surface, a satisfied smirk
was plastered on his face. And that was when he opened his eyes.
His eyes widened, and he froze.
Off to the side stood Uzume, who closed the shouji screen behind her
with her foot. Her hair was undone and fell just under her knees. In her
hands were a towel and a pail which contained her shampoo. It was then
he realized that she was just short of being fully nude. Her towel, which
she held close to her body barely, covered her, her shoulders, the edges
of her breasts, waist and legs visible while the towel barely covered anything
indecent.
Yeah, she really was, um - 'big'.
Ichigo gulped and sat there, trembling. "Wha... what're you doing in here,
Uzume?"
"Oh", she pouted. "I was hoping to get here in time to wash your back",
she said only somewhat disappointed. "Don't worry though", she then
continued as she made her way to the shower hose. "I'll massage your
shoulders when I get in".
And like a fish, Ichigo's dry mouth just opened and closed, nothing coming
out. When he finally got enough of his wits back to speak he got ready to
shout out at her when she dropped the towel and sat down on and began to
rinse herself off. Not even Rangiku was so bold. Then again, maybe she was.
She was probably just stopped before she took it that far.
Uzume continued to rinse herself off before setting the hose down to
lather up the soap. Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed Ichigo's face
turn red but not turn away and felt her mood brighten. That just meant it
was time to turn up the ante. Having lathered up enough soap she lifted the
arm that was closest to Ichigo and began to lather her breast up, turning to
give Ichigo a better view.
Ichigo watched, knowing he shouldn't, but unable to stop himself.
Slowly, *very* slowly, Uzume continued to wash her breasts. She let out
a gasp as she reached the apex of one of them, feeling the nipple poking
stiffly into her palm through the soapy washcloth. Sweat beaded on
Ichigo's brow. Finally catching his voice, Ichigo squeaked out, "Wha-what
are you doing?"
Uzume smirked slightly at the voice, "Washing up."
"While I'm in here!" he countered, his voice stronger now.
"Of course," She chirped. "It's no problem."
Proceeding down, she washed her rather flat stomach, causing Ichigo to
gulp once more. And now realizing what he was doing he twisted quickly
in the bath and faced the wall, red and flushed at what he saw. "Can you
hurry up and turn around so I can get out?"
"Huh?" Uzume paused in her washing and blinked at the young man in
confusion. "Why would you leave?"
"So you can have it to yourself! You shouldn't be in here while I am!" He
closed his eyes, his memories now bringing Yoruichi during his training.
He realized almost immediately that it might be for the best to kill that
line of thinking
"Why would you think that Ichigo?"
"Because that's just the way it is! I can't believe I'm having to explain this
to you!"
"But you're my Ashikabi," Uzume responded. "I don't care if you see me
naked."
"That's not the point! I'm a guy, you're a girl!"
"And?" Uzume questioned. "So what if I am?" Before Ichigo could retort he
felt the water shift and rise and realized she was entering the bath with him.
He turned even redder as he realized he wouldn't be able to get out so easy.
"Well?" she asked.
Closing in on Ichigo before he could say anything she pressed herself
onto his muscled back and sighed happily. Ichigo stiffened immediately,
in mind, body and posture as two soft mounds pressed into his back, his
mind trying to process the feeling of two hard points poking him from those
mounds. "Ah...ah", he mumbled, all arguments dying in his throat. Uzume
mumbled happily herself, resting her head on his back, nuzzling his
shoulders as she wrapped her arms around him.
So lost in their situations neither noticed the door slide open.
"Uzume-san?" a tight voice asked as a dark aura appeared.
"Ah?" she reacted as her eyes widened and her body chilled, no longer
feeling the warmth of the water. Ichigo however was still tongue tied, now
feeling those points become harder as the girl tightened her grip on him.
"Did I not tell you improper relations are forbidden in Maison Izumo?"
Uzume gulped as she stared at Miya from her position, her head still on
Ichigo's back. Ichigo still continued to stare forward, unaware of the
situation brewing around him. Uzume swallowed some saliva. "B-bu-but
Miya, the Inn allows mixed bathing!"
"That may be true, but bathing does not include the improper conduct you
are doing now", Miya informed, the hannya mask now appearing.
"B-bu-bu-butI'mnotdoinganything! How is this improper?"
"Are you touching him?"
Her eyes flicked back and forth. "Yes?" she offered.
"Are you married?"
"Um?"
"Then it is improper".
"But I'm his-"
"Uzume. Out".
Uzume's head came off Ichigo's back but still held onto him as she gave
Miya a betrayed look.
"Don't look at me like that, you know better", Miya responded. "Now. Out".
"Pooh", Uzume pursed her lips disappointedly as she reluctantly let go
and got out of the bath, grabbing her towel as she somberly went into the
room behind Miya and began to dry off.
Miya then turned to Ichigo. "And as for you, Kurosaki-san… Kurosaki-san?"
She blinked as she noticed that Ichigo had not moved an inch from his
position nor changed his posture. "Kurosaki-san?" she asked, moving
closer. "Kurosaki-san?" she said a bit firmer.
"Huh?", Ichigo mumbled as he heard his name called. Turning he saw
Miya addressing him. "GAH!", he cried as he tightened himself, still red.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" the young man screamed out. "What
happened to freakin' decency!"
"Kurosaki-san?" Miya asked once more, surprise at the young man's
outburst clear in her voice.
"Ah," Ichigo muttered. "Sorry." His hands trailed below the water to cover
his private area, "But do you think a guy could get a moment of privacy
finally?"
"I'm so sorry for Uzume, Kurosaki-san," Miya said as she bowed
apologetically. "I'll be sure to give her a proper talking to for you."
She bowed again, "Please excuse me." With that she left the
bathroom area, leaving a dazed young man still sitting in the tub.
Ichigo looked up at the ceiling and sighed in frustration.
Later...
"And here will be your room for the night, Kurosaki-san", Miya said as she
opened the door to room 204.
Ichigo sighed, feeling awkward at being in this position. "Asama-san, I'm...
extremely grateful for all this, but you don't have to go this far".
"Nonsense", Miya said as she moved inside. With a duster and a broom
she began to clean the small amount of dust that had begun to build up.
"Besides", Miya continued. "I already made the decision", looking at him
with a tight look.
Ichigo sighed, closing his eyes and scratching the back of his neck with
his right hand. 'She says that like I didn't have a choice'. Looking back up
at her he made a decision and started toward Miya.
"Kurosaki-san?", she inquired.
"Lemme help you", he said. "Just because I'm a guest doesn't mean I
can't pull my own weight", he said neutrally as he grabbed the duster and
immediately began on the opposite wall.
Miya looked at him, a bit startled before smiling and continued to sweep.
"I apologize again for earlier. Uzume can be flighty at times but she hasn't
been so brazen. She seems so taken with you that she did forget the
rules".
Ichigo paused, his back to her before resuming. "Ah", he responded to her.
''Taken' isn't quite the word for it'. After a moment, he spoke again. "Sorry
about reacting the way I did. Not really used to that". Yoruichi teased but
thankfully didn't touch.
"It's only natural", Miya responded, moving along to the next section and
adding to the growing pile of dust on the floor. "It's also because of that
that the rules are in place".
It was with that that nothing else was spoken for a bit. Finally after a few
moments and the room cleaner, Ichigo gave in to his curiosity. "So where
is Uzume?"
"Cleaning. Her punishment".
"Ah."
Finally, with the dust cleaned up Miya picked up the bin that she brought
with her that now had the dust and other things put into it. Chiding Ichigo
for trying to take it and informing him that he didn't even know where to
throw it she relented in letting him get the futon for the room. Returning to
find the futon laid out and Ichigo looking out the open window she bowed
to him. "Thank you, again, Kurosaki-san. Please sleep well. Breakfast
should be ready by nine".
Ichigo bowed back. "Thank you again for having me".
With that, she left the room and he turned back to the window, feeling the
cold air hit him. 'What a crazy day', he thought. 'Almost doesn't seem re-',
he stopped and smirked. 'Some things like that were real', thinking of
moments from years past. Closing his eyes he breathed the cold air,
letting it fill him before opening them. 'What the hell am I gonna do?'
Turning to face the room he walked to the light switch. He stopped just
short of the switch and then just clicked it off. Turning he walked back to
his futon, Uzume firmly in his thoughts. He really did believe what she
told him, and thinking of what that MBI guy said began to rankle him a bit.
He was now in charge of a girl who had bonded to him and be used in some
sort of game. A girl with fantastic powers that only he can allow her to use.
A girl who proclaimed her eternal love for him, despite only meeting him not
several minutes prior.
'This is so fucked up', he lamented, getting under the covers. His thoughts
turned to what happened just minutes before Miya brought him to the room.
Uzume had tried to convince Miya to let him in her room, as he was her
guest and that it only made sense to. Miya had agreed, and then stated that
she lost that sense of reasoning by grabbing him in the bath. He twitched
that it wasn't that she went into the bath with him, naked, but that she had been
caught holding him. He sighed and resisted the urge to palm his face and rub
his forehead.
Uzume had then as Miya had begun to bring him up the stairs told him of
what room she was in, and that if he needed anything that he was welcome
to go in and take and use anything in there, as what was hers was now his
to use. 'What the hell do I do now? I just wanted to find a place, to be able
to get away when I graduated. And now I got a girl to take care of or
something.' He turned as he tried to get comfortable, as a futon was a bit
different from a bed. Not bad, but it had been awhile.
'Ah, screw it', he thought, his eyes growing ever more heavier. 'I'll figure it
out tomorrow'.
Twisting again, he stretched his legs out and turned his head on the pillow
slightly. Finally, he felt himself beginning to lose consciousness after a few
moments. The cold air combined with the blankets of the futon causing
beginning to make him a bit more comfortable, he smiled as everything was
now beginning to-
-CLICK-
Brighten back up...
A shuffling sound followed by the door being slowly shut caused the room
to darken completely again. 'Screw it', he thought, too tired to care at this
moment and squeezed his eyes shut.
Another sound.
From what he could tell in his tired state it sounded like when he opened
and laid out his futon. 'Uzume', he realized. Resisting the urge to sigh he
decided to just play dead and ignore it. If she did love him like she said
she'd let him sleep.
Finally the sounds stopped. Thanking any gods listening for that he again
ignored the world as he concentrated on letting his body die.
Figuratively, of course.
For Uzume, she knelt on the futon and watched him happily, happy that
he was safe and with her. She stopped herself from giggling, not wanting
to wake him, though she did contemplate the look on his face.'Geez', she
thought. 'He even scowls in his sleep. I really got my work cut out for me'.
As quietly as she could, she pulled out her watch and clicked a few
settings, mindful to have already turned the sound off. Satisfied she
set it in between their futons and proceeded to scoot over to his. Lifting
the covers she got in.
'Oh no she didn't', Ichigo thought, a lot more conscious now than he'd like
to be. A part of him was just about to scream at her just before another
part of him won in shutting him up. He didn't know of any other tenants, if
any. And he really didn't want to piss off the landlady after she had been
so generous to him in giving him a room for the night and a meal. 'God
damn it', he thought as she moved close to him, settling next to his left
side, her arm sliding across his chest.
It was dark enough that he was thankful that it covered his growing scowl,
not to mention the rising blush. He tried to ignore it and shifted a bit, feeling
consciousness begin to drift away. 'Just ignore it, just ig...nor...it', he felt
himself finally...
-CHU-
His eyes snapped open as her head settled on his chest, missing his
reaction. His eye twitched, now awake and feeling his cheek burn. Turning
his head slightly he was about to inform her to kindly vamoose as quietly
as possible when she spoke.
"Goodnight, Ichigo", she whispered, sounding content. "I love you", she
again said, this one even quieter as her arm tightened a bit and her
breathing then calmed.
'Damn it...' His head rolling back, his thoughts from a little earlier came
back as he realized she just fell completely asleep. 'What the hell am I
gonna do?' He looked at the ceiling in the darkness, barely making it out
and brought his right forearm to rest on his forehead. He then tried to move
his left arm, but it was pressed down from Uzume laying on it. He did sigh
this time as he tried to move it a bit without waking her up. 'Wait', he
thought and stopped his movement. Something was off...
He contemplated what he was feeling and gulped in a breath. His bare arm
felt her bare skin. 'Goddamnit, is she naked again?'
The warmth and smooth skin all but confirmed she was topless, and he
felt himself too nervous to move his hand, lest he learn her bottom was
bare as well. He tried to move slightly again and she mumbled something
and pulled him back a bit, almost a little too easily.
He sighed as he realized he wasn't getting away soon.
Evening came, and evening left. The birds outside Ichigo's bedroom sang
to greet the warm sun as her bright rays streamed down through the window,
just as they had in days before. After a while the chirping and the beams of
sunlight made Ichigo stir. He sniffed for a moment, and let out a loud yawn as
he brought his left hand up to his face to wipe the last vestiges of sleep from his face.
'Huh?' he thought as that last bit of information pierced his sleepy haze.
Removing his hand from his face, he opened his eyes to confirm that his
left hand was, in fact, the hand he was using to brush his face. Looking down,
he found his left side empty, only a slight indent in the mattress to indicate that
he had not slept alone.
'Ok, where'd she go?' he wondered to himself as he looked around the room
and confirmed that he was the only occupant of the room at that moment.
Cracking his neck he stood up and got out of the futon, frowning slightly as
he put on a fresh pair of pants from his duffel bag. Such mysteries could be
put away until after breakfast, he reasoned. At the thought of the first meal
of the day, his stomach growled slightly.
"Wonder what time it is," he mumbled softly as he left the room and
walked downstairs towards the dining room. He was cut short as a new
figure came up the stairs, holding their head and groaning softly.
"Oh man," he person groaned. "I'm thinking I had one too many last night."
The person looked up at Ichigo gazing at him and rose an eyebrow at the
young man, "Well, you're a new face."
Ichigo shrugged as he was slowly waking up a bit more as he took in the
features of the person he was looking at. From what Ichigo could tell, this
stranger was a rather effeminine looking. With gray hair and a slender body
and dressed in a rather nice suit, this person practically screamed 'host
club' to Ichigo.
The smell of alcohol only cemented his guess.
"Late night?" Ichigo asked.
The person chuckled, "Like you wouldn't believe." Raising his head up,
the person gave Ichigo a quick once over, "New tenant?"
"Ahh, no." Ichigo responded. "I'm more of a... friend of Uzume's."
"Hoh," the person's eyebrow rose slightly at his words. "That's new.
Uzume-chan's never brought over a friend for a late night stay."
"It's a weird situation," Ichigo responded before holding out his hand.
"Name's Ichigo."
"Kagari," he responded. Taking Ichigo's offered hand he shook it firmly,
"Any friend of Uzume-chan's is a friend of mine."
"Nice to know," Ichigo responded as he broke the handshake.
Kagari nodded as he walked away from Ichigo, "Guess I'll be seeing you
around then?"
"Uhh..." Ichigo paused for a moment before responding, "Yeah... yeah I
guess so."
"Cool," Kagari responded. "Now then, I'm gonna make sure the room
stops spinnin' long enough for me to get breakfast."
"Yeah, good luck with that", Ichigo responded as he headed down the
stairs. He headed into the kitchen, and saw that Miya was still cooking.
She turned and smiled at him.
"Ara, good morning Kurosaki-san!" Miya chirped.
Ichigo nodded, "Good morning Asama-san." He scratched his head
slightly , "Thanks again for being so generous."
"It's no trouble at all," Miya reassured him "I'm just glad that Uzume-chan
has herself a dependable and proper friend."
"Ah... right," Ichigo drawled. "Ummm... can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Ichigo blew out a breath, "Well... Uzume told me last night that you might
have an opening here."
Miya nodded, "That I do, Kurosaki-san. But might I ask you to wait until
after breakfast is done to talk about that?" She turned and gave him a
polite smile, "Talking about business before a meal always seems to give
me an upset stomach."
"Ah, ok," Ichigo responded. Shrugging once more he turned away from
her, "Guess I'll just find something to do 'till then."
"It will be ready in a few minutes," Miya continued. "I can count on you to
get Uzume-chan and Kagari-san into the dining room for me?"
"Sure, sure," Ichigo responded lazily as he left the room. He went back
upstairs, finished dressing, and came back down. Seeing that Miya was
still cooking the most important meal of the day, he walked off, deciding
to give the place a quick once over before he made any rash decisions in
his impending talk with Miya. Coming to the garden area/yard area of
Maison Izumo he paused as the shouji screen was wide open, allowing
the morning air to come in. Looking on, he stood at the edge of the
engawa as he noted the birds chirping and how quiet it was.
If he were home he'd half expect a sneak attack from his father.
But he wasn't home, so he could relax.
His shoulders twitched as he held back a chuckle. To think all it took
was to remove his father from the picture to experience some sense
of tranquility.
Tranquility...
How long had it been since he had that?
'Well, that's one more point in this place's favor,' he thought.
And so he finally allowed himself to relax a bit more. Sitting on the engawa
of the Maison Izumo while peering absentmindedly in the garden, noting the
tree at the edge near the fence. It was a nice view.
"Kurosaki-san!"
Ichigo blinked and turned his head towards the kitchen, "Yes, Asama-san?"
he called back.
"Breakfast is ready, Kurosaki-san! Could you go tell the others?" she asked.
Ichigo stood up, then gave a light stretch. "OK, Asama-san, I got it."
His head dropped as he sighed, his thoughts turning to the previous night.
"Gahh," he groaned. "What the hell was up with her last night?" He rubbed
his eyes irritably and palmed his chin. Honestly, it was amazing he didn't
scream like some anime harem guy in the situation Uzume put him in last
night. What with all the nudity she presented him both while conscious and
when he attempted to go unconscious. "Honestly, that girl's gonna end up
the death of me."
Well, it wasn't like he hadn't died before.
Still that didn't answer the most poignant question.
What the hell happened to her after he fell asleep?
Earlier...
The birds outside sang to greet the warm sun as its rays streamed down
through the window in Ichigo's room, just as they did in the previous scene.
There was something there that wasn't before however. A slight buzzing
sound echoing throughout the room, and a rather curvaceous woman curled
possessively upon the young man's side. Her head resting on his chest as
her eyes were closed peacefully, and her ear lay directly over his heart. She
had quickly fallen asleep listening to its soothing beat.
The night before had seen her sneak into the room with her own futon, her
ploy to misdirect Miya, which turned out to be the right choice. The watch
she had brought had been timed to go off several minutes before the time
that she assumed Miya would wake up. After hastily clicking off the alarm
so as to not wake up Ichigo, she grudgingly left her ashikabi's warmth for
the cold futon she had laid out next to him.
As she expected not ten minutes later the door opened and Miya cast her
gaze into the room. Uzume, playing dead herself could hear Miya softly
snort before closing the door. She knew she'd get pulled aside, but as she
was caught in a separate futon she'd only get a small lecture. Small,
considering that if Ichigo were a tenant there could be two to a room, just
as long as there was no 'fun' between the two. And for that she was
grateful, as much as she wanted to wake up with Ichigo, she already had
two strikes against her with Miya and her propriety issues.
And god knows she didn't want to be on the receiving end of her third strike.
Unsuspecting, Ichigo slept on as Uzume slowly stirred into the land of the
living. Her eyes opened and she smiled as she looked at Ichigo's face.
"Well would you look at that... so you don't scowl all the time after all," she
said, brushing his hair with her fingers. She moved her face close to Ichigo's
and looked at him, then sighed. "I still can't believe I've finally found you. And
now you've got to leave."
She sighed again, a melancholy look gracing her face, "It's not fair. I don't
want you to go." Her fingers lightly traced over his face, as if imprinting the
memory of his peaceful visage to her touch. "I was alone for a long time you
know. And I don't want to be, ever again."
She remained silent for a while before giving a soft smile and lowering her
lip upon Ichigo's cheek, "So I guess I'll just have to give you a reason to
come back to me, my beloved Ashikabi." She giggled as she stood and
gathered her clothes. Putting them on, she walked towards the door and
opened it. Checking to make sure no one was out in the hall, she grabbed
her futon, giving one more longing gaze at the sleeping young man.
"Sleep well, my beloved," she whispered as she snuck out of his room.
And now… for the most important meal of the day...
Ichigo sat down at the table, looking around him a bit at the people
gathered before him. That Ka-whathisname- was sitting across from him,
still looking good and hung over. By his left side Uzume sat, with the
sekirei trying to get as close to him as she possibly could. He stifled a
groan at her actions. It was too early for this mess.
At the head of the table sat Miya, her face the epitome of calm and serene.
Once more, Ichigo was taken aback by how the scene before him felt. The
air was peaceful and he felt rather comforted. A steady ease flowed over him.
It was a rather nice break from the usual chaos and urgency in his usual
breakfasts.
"All right then," Miya began. "Let's eat shall we?"
The group responded with a cry of "Itadakimasu" before grabbing a pair of
chopsticks and digging in. Ichigo was sipping his miso soup in silence,
noting the conversation going around him.
"So Kagari," Uzume began. "What'cha do last night?"
"Uhh," Kagari groaned. "God what DID I do last night besides get drunk
out of my mind?"
Uzume smirked, "Crazy customers, huh?"
"Like you wouldn't believe," Kagari drooled out.
"I'll bet", Uzume giggled. "You were drunk enough to forget your room's
on the first floor".
Kagari gave her a flat stare and shrugged. "Better than falling in a ditch I
guess..."
Miya frowned at that implication, "Still for you not to call home..."
"I know, I know Miya-san," Kagari responded. "But trust me when I say
that it was hectic. I would've called if I could."
"All right. Just try to make time to call if you think it's going to be one of
these nights again, ok?", the landlady replied.
'Huh,' Ichigo thought as he put down the miso bowl and picked up the rice
bowl. 'He probably is one of those host club type of guys.'
Kagari stared at Ichigo for a moment before turning back to Uzume and
smirking, "Seems like I wasn't the only one who had a busy night."
Ichigo choked as he brought the bowl to his mouth and Uzume patted his
back to calm him down before giving Kagari a level stare.
"Heh, sorry," Kagari smirked as he apologized. "But you got to admit that
was too easy."
"Nothing happened", Ichigo said flatly and returned to his meal.
"Touchy friend you got there Uzume-chan," Kagari responded before
picking up his bowl of miso.
"He'll come around, you'll see", she said as she grinned widely.
"Have I mentioned that it's too early for this?" Ichigo muttered before he
finished off his rice.
Kagari looked at the banter between the two and raised an eyebrow,
directing it at Uzume. Noticing, her grin stretched even wider and she
flashed him the 'V' sign with her fingers. Kagari gave a soft smile at
Uzume and nodded softly before he returned his attentions to Ichigo.
His smirk returned as he said, "Excuse me... Kurosaki-san was it?"
Ichigo grunted as he sipped on his miso.
"You said you were Uzume's friend right?"
Ichigo paused in he sipping, 'Oh no.' he thought irritably. 'No sir we are
NOT going down this road.' "Yep," Ichigo answered aloud. "Her friend.
A boy who is her friend. Not her boyfriend."
Kagari chuckled, "Oh come off it Kurosaki-san. We're all friends here. I'm
just happy to meet Uzume-chan's most precious person."
Ichigo scowled fiercely as he again went back to his food and fought hard
to keep a blush off his face.
He was marginally successful.
"Ah ha!" Kagari cried out as he noticed Ichigo's faint blush. "There it is!
Direct confirmation!" He grinned at Uzume, "So Uzume-chan, how long
were you planning on keeping this one from meeting us?"
"It's a bit complicated," Uzume responded. Her face looked extremely
hurt. She hung her head sadly and her posture wilted like a deflating
balloon as she continued, "You see... he's... he's not from here."
Kagari frowned slightly at Uzume's body language. His face took on a
more neutral look as he turned back to Ichigo, "Oh? So where are you
from Kurosaki-san?"
"Karakura."
Kagari paused for a moment, "Karakura...?" He thought for a moment. "I
think I was with a girl from around there", he mumbled in trying to recall
it. "That's out west, isn't it?"
"Yep," Ichigo confirmed. "I'm just out here lookin' for a place before
school starts."
"I see," Kagari nodded. "Bit early don't you think?"
"Not really," Ichigo retorted. "I'll get in a school around here. No prob. I
just need to find a good place where no one's buggin' me about my hair."
"And so you can be closer to your girlfriend?" Kagari teased.
Ichigo groaned, "Please don't start that again."
"Seriously though", Kagari then said, a bit more focused now. "If you're
looking for a place in the area there's more than enough room here", he
said, motioning the place with a slight wave of his hand.
Ichigo nodded as he put down his empty miso bowl, "Yeah Uzume told me
the same thing last night. And that reminds me..." He turned back to the
head of the table. "Are you ready to talk business now Asama-san?"
Uzume perked up at that. He really was thinking of Izumo as an option!
Miya smiled pleasantly as she rose, "In just a little while Kurosaki-san. I
still have to do these dishes. Why don't you wait in the living room while
I take care of this?"
Ichigo nodded as he stood and collected the empty bowls, "No problem.
Let me just help you out a little bit."
"Thank you Kurosaki-san," Miya replied as Ichigo set the dishes in the
empty sink. "I'll do my best to hurry back to you then."
Ichigo nodded as he left the kitchen and walked towards the living room.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
Ichigo shook his head as Miya laid a tray with two cups of tea down upon
the table in front of Ichigo. She sat down on the couch in front of him. He
himself was seated down at the end of the couch sitting across from her.
"It's no problem, Asama-san."
She smiled politely as he picked up one of the cups of tea and began to
sip, "Is it too your liking?"
"Yes, thank you," Ichigo answered as he finished his sip. "I do have to
say you're quite the hostess."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Kurosaki-san," Miya retorted playfully,
Picking up her own cup of tea. She took a slow sip and made sure to
enjoy the flavor.
Ichigo chuckled lightly, "Yeah, that's not my strong suit I guess." He set
his cup down and bowed slightly to Miya, "Thank you again for letting me
stay the night here."
"Oh there's no need for thanks, Kurosaki-kun." Miya's eyes closed, a
wistful look crossing her face as she continued, "It is not my way to
refuse people aid when they needed it. It is something I learned from
my husband, my way of honoring him."
"I see," Ichigo raised his head, a neutral look on his face. "Is he...?"
Miya nodded. And Ichigo bowed slightly again, "My condolences."
"Please do not let your self worry about it," Miya answered. "Although I
miss him, I treasure our time together. Now then," Her eyes reopened
and she re-took her cup of tea. "You wanted to discuss some business
with me?"
Ah, right," Ichigo blinked slightly as his face became more neutral.
"Uzume told me that you had a vacancy here. Is that right?"
Miya nodded, "Yes. It's fifty thousand yen a month. Meals included."
"I see... anything else I should note?" Ichigo asked as he re-took his cup.
"The price also includes utilities and one condition."
Ichigo's eyebrow rose slightly as he finished his cup of tea and set it
down, "And that would be?"
"Under no circumstance will I accept any payment with MBI credit cards."
Ichigo couldn't help but notice a bit of steel coming into her voice at the
mention for MBI, but dismissed it for the moment. It wasn't as if they were
his favorite people at the moment either. "Other than that, I accept most
payments."
But then he blinked at what she said. 'MBI cards? What the hell are
those?' Outwardly he said, "Sounds good to me I guess."
"Can I take that to mean that you shall be my new tenant?"
Ichigo chucked at that, "Well... I still have a few places I want to look at
first, but you're definitely at the top of the list with me."
"I see," Miya sighed as she stood up. "Well at least I got the pleasure of
meeting you Kurosaki-san."
"Likewise," Ichigo agreed as he stood. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled
out his wallet and took out a few bills of yen. "Here," he stated as he put
his hand out to Miya.
She blinked slightly, surprise and curiosity mixed on her face.
"Kurosaki-san? What is this for?"
"For staying the night," he responded. "Don't worry I still have enough to
commute back home."
Miya smiled and pushed his hand back towards him, "Thank you. But
that's unnessicary. I-"
"I insist," Ichigo interrupted. "Consider it a slight advance on your rent if
you want. Just humor me, please?"
Miya chucked as she took the money from his hand, "Very well then. I
will be expecting the rest when you accept my terms."
"How confident," Ichigo repeated amusedly as he grinned. "Though I would
hope that confidence is well founded, I would hate to think Uzume's
landlord is someone who is presumptuous".
Miya's laughter grew at his statement, "I walked into that one didn't I?"
Ichigo shrugged, "Every now and then I manage to make a funny." He
bowed deeply once more, "It's been an honor to meet you Asama-san."
Miya returned his bow, "May you have a safe trip home Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo double checked his duffel bag, confirming all its contents and
hoisted it over his shoulder. No time like the present to get started on his
way home. He was fed, somewhat rested, and ready to get home and get
his family's grilling out of the way. With that, he exited his temporary room
and made his way down the stairs.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs he turned and paused as he found
Uzume standing forlornly at the genkan at the doorway entrance to the Inn.
He took in a breath, not looking forward to this.
Uzume looked up and smiled, but it wasn't enough to erase her
downcast expression.
"Hey", she said.
"Hey", he returned, slowly resuming his walk to the doorway.
As he got closer she then reached for and turned the knob to the closest
door to her and opened it. Following the arc of the door she now stopped
just outside, giving Ichigo room to walk out. Not sure about what she was
doing, Ichigo stopped at the genkan to put his shoes on and walked
outside. He then put up his hand to block the sunlight as he went beyond
the shadow line from the Inn and let his eyes readjust as Uzume followed
him.
Sighing he paused and turned to face her. She stopped just short of him,
her eyes never leaving his body as the ache in her heart began to grow,
not wanting to believe that he was leaving so soon. Swallowing some
saliva, she pursed her lips before speaking. "So... things will be ok?
You'll be ok?"
Blinking, he looked to the side, not wanting to see her eyes watering up.
"Ah. There shouldn't be an issue getting home now, as the lines should
be up and running now, and if they aren't the alternate routes won't be
too bad".
"That's...that's good to hear", she responded, a tear now running down
her cheek and choking back a sob.
'Damn it all', Ichigo scowled hearing that, finding him self feeling like scum
despite not doing anything wrong. Turning back to look at her she was now
facing downward, her bangs covering her eyes, but the tear lines were all
too easy to make out. He noticed then she was wearing the same outfit
she had on yesterday, the all too form fitting long sleeve star marked shirt
and equally form fitting pants that ended just above her knees. Her hands
were closed and hanging loosely at her hips as her shoulders made small
quivering motions every few seconds.
"Listen", he then said. "I...uh", 'damn I can't believe I'm gonna say this',
"never did get your number".
Her head then lifted up to look at him and he nearly flinched, seeing her
eyes had turned pink from her silent tears. "You...you want my number?",
she asked, feeling some hope.
"Yeah. I, uh, need to keep in contact if I pass by again".
"Oh", she then said and he nearly kicked himself.
"Yeah", he then said suddenly. "I also got to call ahead if I'm gonna come
by, right?"
Her eyes rose hopefully again. "Yeah", she said and pulled out her phone.
Exchanging numbers, the awkwardness then returned.
"Can", she then said, breaking the silence. "Can I get your address? If I
wanted to stop by?"
"No", Ichigo said suddenly, and then hastened to add, "Now's not a good
time". 'Or ever', he thought in his head. "Trust me, it really wouldn't be a
good idea to come at this time".
She wiped an eye as she nodded. "Yeah, you got those tests coming up."
"Yes, tests. Exactly", he agreed quickly. Finally, he turned and began to
walk for the gate, but before he reached he paused to turn around, finding
Uzume still standing where he left her, her tears now freely falling.
He was a bit bewildered; as he was sure she'd follow him. "Um...if you
want you can come with me to the station".
She smiled at him and slowly walked up to him. "No", she said, her voice
beginning to crack now. "If I did I don't think I'd be able to let you go".
He turned, not liking seeing her like this. Hating the fact that he was
causing this and cursing his luck for ending up in this situation. 'Damn it
all'. He sighed and ran his left hand through his hair, "Hey. You know how
I said I was still looking around for a place?"
She nodded.
"Well, I was going to be out next week looking around in Chiyoda." He
then rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand and looked away.
"I think I can make enough time to swing by this way and see how you're doing".
"I'd like that", she said, wiping her eyes. "I'd like that a lot".
He pursed his lips, now unsure of what to say. After a moment he decided
that the best course of action was to leave now. Taking a step back to turn
he paused again as he felt her palm on his chest.
"The...the other reason why I didn't want to follow you to the station was
because I wouldn't be able to do this".
With that, she stepped up fully again and Ichigo eyes widened once more
as his body locked up and her lips found his. He blinked as he found
himself seeing her wings burst forth, nearly as bright as the first time they
appeared. With that, his eyes closed as he felt a new sensation as her
tongue found his. After a moment, they both pulled away, Ichigo taking a
moment to recompose him self, unconsciously licking his lips.
"We would've been in a lot of trouble if people saw that", she said, and he
nodded, still feeling thunderstruck. "Be careful", she said, smiling and
wiping her eyes again.
"Ah... yeah. You too", he then said as his own mouth was turning up
slightly as he readjusted his duffel bag. Turning, he then walked out
of the gates and down the sidewalk.
She followed behind him out the gates but stopped to watch him as he
walked away. Finally, after a few minutes, he was gone and out of sight.
Head down, Uzume then turned and walked back into the gates. Lifting
her head, she saw the door open and Kagari waiting in the doorway.
Walking up to him, she stopped and smiled as best she could.
"He'll be back", Kagari told her somberly.
"He will", she agreed and gasped as Kagari moved up to hold her.
With that, she finally broke down as Kagari rubbed her back soothingly.
One More Post and Chapter One will finally be done...
HELL YEAH!