My Unknown Love
A:N// No lemons yet, very, very sorry, but they do finally get to talk … --Angry mob starts to form-- … Ah! Don't kill me! D':
-Cough- Any who…
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Chapter 4: Face To Face
Renji stood frozen in pure shock. I can't believe it. There he is, right there in front of me and I can't move … but damn he looks so good…
Realizing his mouth was open, he quickly shut it and spoke as normally as he could. "Hey, you're Ichigo Kurosaki right?" Seeing a little confusion on Strawberry's face he quickly added, "My friend Rukia and I just moved here, she said she talked to you in her first class."
Ichigo stood motionless, too stunned by the sound of his voice, all thought revolved around this man. He looks amazing. He sounds amazing. Damn...
He finally closed his bottom lip, slowed down his breathing, and answered as calmly as he could.
"Yea, that's me." With more eagerness than he wanted to reveal he then asked, "What's your name?"
Renji was likewise captivated by his voice. Strong, but also kind and relaxed. He looks really happy…Could he be just as happy to see me? No, he's never even seen me before until now. I can't get ahead of myself, next thing I know I'll end up jumping on the poor hot kid.
He regained his normal bad ass pose and answered coolly. "I'm Renji Abarai. Rukia and I just moved here."
Ichigo couldn't help but let out a silent breath. … His name… I love hearing it.
After that, talking became as easy as breathing. They talked none stop, always wanted to hear each other's voice. Often Ichigo asked about Rukia and Renji about Tatsuki. Ichigo told him about Chad, Orihime, Mizuiru, and Keigo too.
Renji really did he try to keep Rukia's new innocent schoolgirl cover as believable as he could, he really did. But it didn't last long because he could never picture an innocent schoolgirl Rukia, plus he lost his line of thought more than once right beside Ichigo, after all, he finally got to meet him, he was too happy to think of anything else. It was kind of freaky how much their friends and friendships had in common, but they just ended up laughing about it.
Renji began walking down the street and Ichigo followed right beside him, neither one aware of it nor that their legs were even in motion. They talked endlessly as they walked in circles around the streets, and again not noticing or caring. It felt like a paradise just being able to be beside each other, walking in unison completely focused on each other.
Ichigo would glance over at Renji's rough tan skin, his muscled legs, arms, and abbs and he had to painfully resist reaching over to touch the gorgeous man many times.
Renji would sneak a peek at Ichigo's own finely sculpted form, his soft milky skin, and often he let his eyes run over his tight sexy ass. He'd begin to sweat just thinking about him and making himself look away was next to impossible.
Somewhere during their walk they ended up taking the path to the clinic. They were both laughing as Ichigo explained one of Keigo's jokes gone wrong, when Ichigo finally looked up to see the clinic slowly getting closer. His rare smile loosened. I don't want to go. I've never been so happy before. I want to listen to Renji. Be with him, talk with him. He's just so… amazing…
He looked back up at Renji and was stunned to see an equally disappointed looking face. … I wonder if he'll miss me to? ... No. I shouldn't think like that, I mean, he probably doesn't even like guys that way, let alone me…
Up until then, he hadn't really thought of liking Renji as more than a friend, but only because no other thoughts came to mind when he was with him. Still, it was unmistakable that he has feelings for Renji. If it had been anyone else then he would've been worried, out old habit so he guessed. But he felt no such fears with Renji. He felt perfectly fine about it; in fact he wanted to feel more.
He started blushing when he imagined Renji holding him right next to his body and whispering in his ear. He couldn't shake it off and his blush was only getting worse with every lip dropping thought that followed.
Renji looked up at the clinic, remembering how happy he was to find Ichigo there and now dreading it because he soon had to leave him. I don't ever remember feeling this wonderful before. I feel so whole now… I just want to stay with him …
He looked over at Ichigo without turning his head and his eyes widened in ecstatic happiness, almost too much to keep himself still. Ichigo's… blushing? Is he really blushing? I can't believe it! Is it because of me? He smiled even more then had to once again control himself. No, I still don't know for sure, and I don't want to scare him away… Fuck. I don't want to leave …
After many failed attempts, Ichigo finally lost his blush right when they reached his house. He looked at the familiar white fence surrounding it, a little aged but still sturdy, then at the gate that lead to his door. He didn't want to leave; he wanted Renji to stay, to be with Renji, to even go with Renji, anything but leave.
Renji faced the clinic again with equal loss. Damn. I don't know if my patience can handle this. I will for Ichigo's sakes, but … damnit, this is going to be hard… He managed to make himself turn and face Ichigo and Ichigo turned to do the same.
They were about the same height, but Renji was slightly taller. They stood about five steps away from each other, and only that much because they felt like they needed to give the other space, they actually were wishing there was some way to supper glue yourself to someone else 'accidentally'… or at least, that's exactly what Renji was thinking.
Looking in Renji's deep blood red eyes was making Ichigo melt. They were so intense, so searching, and expressionless. When Ichigo looked in them nothing else in the world mattered.
Renji looked back into Ichigo's own flowing brown eyes. They were so drawn back from years of a cruel world, just like his own, but he could still see a glowing light of life in them where his own eyes had no such thing. But then, when he was with Ichigo he felt like that same light was growing in him already and he liked it. He felt warm all over when he looked into those nutmeg eyes.
Unnoticeably he stepped closer to Ichigo, and Ichigo stepped closer too, they stood an arm's length from each other now.
As if annoying interruptions followed Renji around everywhere, some kid on a bike flew past them in a flurry of grocery bags and falling food, almost taking Ichigo's arm off as he went, then around the corner and out of sight.
Renji gave a smug last look where the kid had taken off then returned his attention to Strawberry. He was looking at the ground and had a small grin on his lips, but the way his eyes slanted betrayed sadness.
Renji wanted to ask what was wrong. He already knew what he wanted to be wrong --something along the lines of "Renji I just don't want you to go! You want to stay over tonight and never leave?"-- But again, no hard evidence.
"You ok? Did that jackass clip your arm or something?" He smiled, trying not to sound as worried as he indisputably was.
Ichigo kept starring at the ground then looked back up at Renji, no hint of sadness or any other emotion on his face except a grin. Renji was curious, but didn't show it.
Ichigo gave a single laugh. "No, that little bastard always runs through here around this time, thanks though." He tried to put on a convincing grin, hoping that his true disappointment wouldn't leak out into it. "It's getting pretty late. You'd better get home."
Renji caught it though. He's sad. He's really sad that I'm leaving. I've got a lot of leads, but does he really…"Uh, yea you're right, I'd better get going."
He slowly backed away and started to walk, wishing he could take back every step. Ichigo called back to him and he turned around quickly. "Hey wait. Do you want to come over and study tomorrow?" Ichigo said happily, wanting to smack himself for his overwhelming eagerness again.
Happier than ever, Renji calmly smiled and said, "Sure, I'll come find you after school."
Ichigo, excited as well, but just as calmly, answered. "Ok. I'll see you tomorrow then, night Renji." Those gorgeous brown eyes glowing at Renji again.
Renji smiled back showing a row of beautiful white teeth and emotionless eyes, and for the first time in a long time, they had the same glow. "Night Ichigo." He walked backwards, both still starring into each other's eyes for split seconds then Ichigo turned around and opened the gate and Renji turned as well and walked forward down the street.
Ichigo closed the gate and leaned on it to stare at the sexiest man he'd ever seen slowly walk away. He had his hands stuffed in his pant pockets and his hair was in spikes pulled up, he had a bad ass walk to match his pose, but most of his attention fell to his perfectly sculpted ass, making Ichigo's hungry eyes want more.
Ichigo pulled up his bottom lip and walked up to the door. He opened it slowly as he walked in, then shut the door and leaned his forehead against the cool wood smiling like crazy. I can't believe it.
He turned around and walked towards the stairs in a daze. He noticed Karin and Yuzu watching TV, he's pretty sure Yuzu said hello, but he couldn't really hear anything at the moment, he thinks he mumbled 'hey' back to her, but doesn't really remember anything either. All he could think of was the past few hours he spent talking with Renji. Renji...
He walked up the stairs and into his room. After he went in, he pressed his back up against the door. His book bag fell off his shoulder unnoticed as he slid down to the ground. He closed his eyes still smiling out of control.
Renji. That's such a strong name. Hell, everything about him is strong. His legs, his arms, his body… and his eyes… those eyes are so hypnotizing. I've never seen red eyes like his, I just want to stare in them all day... He cracked an eye open to glare at the annoying alarm clock: 6:03 Geez, we really did talk for hours.
He got up and headed downstairs for dinner, mentally preparing himself for the questions he's sure to get from his two bubbling kid sisters. Guess I really should tell them, they've been here for me a lot and I haven't told them that much as it is. He sighed, but couldn't help but smile.
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Renji turned around to see Ichigo go into his house and kept walking with a permanent smile on his face. I met him. I finally met him! And I'm going over to his house tomorrow, this is incredible! He thought over and over again. He wanted to run around like a crazy man, but thought better of it.
So, just to spite himself like the mad man he is, he pulled his hands out of his pockets and took off down the street to the park, jumping, whooping, yelling and sometimes dancing the whole way. Not many people were out, but a pair of little old ladies walking their small puff ball dogs in the park gave him a few mumbles and glares. He ran the park's path several times jumping and yelling all the way until he reached his spot in the corner of the park and collapsed in the soft grass rolling around like an idiot.
Finally, he stopped his hyper rampage and simply stared at the orange sky. This is how it all started out… Geez, I sound like some old man thinking of the past. Still, if I hadn't been sitting right here, I might not have met Strawberry.
He closed his eyes and hummed a peaceful sigh. I don't know if he really likes me. I don't know if he was blushing because of me. I don't even know if I'll be anything more to him than a friend. But I do know that he was just as happy as I was, and damn was I happy. When we were together I didn't even care what was going on around me. And when I looked at him… damn… those eyes… I can't get that gorgeous body and those beautiful eyes out of my mind. Just starring at him alone is … intoxicating.
He leaned up and bent his legs then wrapped his arms around them and rested his chin on his knees. I wonder what his family's like? I can't really say I enjoy the entire concept of it, but what do I know though? They've gotta be a hell of a lot better than the bastards I once thought was family long ago...
…But I'll get to come over tomorrow. I've finally met him and we talked for hours, I never thought it'd go so great. Just then he remembered what Rukia said again, and got up heading for the park's entrance, still amazed and dazed.
Renji walked until he finally reached the pink toy store he despised, and scoffed because he soon wouldn't have to go in the God-awful place any more. He crouched down to go through the boarded door, just when a black headed midget came out and they bumped heads.
"Ow! Geez Renji watch where you're going." She said rubbing her head and getting to her feet, grabbing a small bag of belongings as she got up.
"Me?! You're the one that just shot out of the door like an idiot!" He said rubbing his own forehead.
"Well I couldn't see crawling out of a hole you know, at least you could look before you duck." She said then smirked. "Or maybe you just weren't paying attention. Thinking about a certain red head again, hmm?" She chuckled.
He rolled his eyes then leaned down again to go in the shop. "Or maybe it's because I was hoping that they have a circus in town to take a crazy midget off my hands, who knows?" He laughed and quickly got in the shop before Rukia exploded.
Five minutes later Renji was back, changed out of his annoying school uniform and carrying his own small bag of belongings then they started out for Urahara's.
After their classic ram into each other while walking-walk, Rukia leaned out and looked up at Renji. "So…? How'd it go? Tell me everything." She said happily.
Renji grinned again. "We talked for hours about the most random shit, I almost zoned out a few times starring at him too." His face went red.
"Of course, I've got to admit he looks pretty damn good. So you guy's are 'friendly friends' now right?" She said with a Rukia nudge to the side.
"Just friends Rukia, geez." He smiled. "But I really feel like I could have a chance with him. He seemed just as happy as I was, but I really I don't want to scare him away if I'm wrong."
"Well I think you two got along really good. Did you find out when to see him again or anything?"
"Yea," He knew the gloat was coming. "I'm going over to his house tomorrow to study, we're going to meet up after class."
"HA! See? I so told you! Didn't I tell you the study date thing would work?" She said laughing. "So… over to his house huh? Well, guess that means I'm walking around town tomorrow night." She said smiling again.
He grinned. "Maybe. He's the one that suggested it too, but I don't know if anything will happen." I really, really hope so though…
"He did, really? Wow, maybe he really does like you Renji. I hope he does." Smiling cocky again.
They turned a corner and saw the Urahara's shop. He smiled "I hope so too."
They walked up to the doors and went in. No one was there. Renji walked over to the counter. After a few minutes he glanced over at the clock: 7:10. "Maybe he's out or something. I guess we'll just---"
"Look! It's pretty boy!" Came Jinta, that crazy psycho brat.
Renji frowned. "Oh look, it's demonic little brat."
Before Jinta could snap back, Urahara stepped in from his living room door and Tessai came in from the storage carrying a box of oranges and stuffing them in the fridge. "Why if it isn't Rukia and Renji, my two favorite customers." Urahara said smiling, walked over coolly.
They just sighed, and he quickly whipped out his fan still smiling. "Everything's all set and taken care of. Your rooms are ready in the back. The both of you are welcome to the store at anytime, of course. But I have to ask you to stay out of the lower storage room for the remainder of your stay, ok?"
They looked at him suspiciously, but he just continued. "Rukia explained a little about why the two of you are here in the first place, but I can't promise that I won't bug you with questions all the time."
They both sweat dropped while he still went on. "Everything will be provided for you with no charge and you'll work in my shop for some pay to spend on whatever you wish, not much though, so I suggest you save it."
After a few seconds Renji stepped away from the counter and joined Rukia standing across from Urahara. "Urahara, we're extremely grateful to you for letting us stay here and even offering for longer than we asked for. But I'm not convinced that you're letting us stay here just to work in your shop, it seems like you have plenty of people for that."
Urahara did nothing for a few awkward seconds, then finally looked up, his eyes barely visible from the rim of his hat. "You'll find out soon enough. It may look suspicious now, but I assure you that you can trust me, I am your friend after all." Goofy smile returns. "You two will definitely be put to work though and not just in the shop, so don't say I didn't warn you."
Renji still looked skeptical, but didn't press it, but Rukia did. "What kind of work are we talking about? Just what did you have in mind this time Urahara?" She said looking serious, but still smiling.
More silence then he spoke again. "… Selling oranges most of the time."
--?
This time Tessai returned from the kitchen and answered. "We've gotten twenty bushels of Soul Improving Oranges and we have a deadline for three weeks. So we'll be selling oranges every chance we get."
"…Soul Improving Oranges? What's ---"
Urahara jumped back in. "The Soul Improving Oranges is an easy way to build up and extend your Soul Ribbon, which improves your Soul Powers. But you usually eat the little things by the bushel to get real good results, but don't mention that part." he finished.
"…Oh." Was their only answer.
Urahara walked over to his favorite sitting spot and sat down, Rukia and Renji followed sitting across from him at the table. "Anyway, besides that you guys won't have to do much, just be sure to do every little thing I say, no matter how crazy and dangerous it may sound. Ok?"
"…What do you mean by that?" Renji answered.
He laughed again. "I was just kidding, nothing crazy at all, it'll be completely logical and foolproof." He answered cheerfully.
"Um… ok." Funny how he didn't say anything about it not being dangerous…
"So! You guys must be tired, why don't you go ahead and relax, the real work doesn't start until later this week."
They had both forgotten about their very consuming school life until now, and neither one had a real believable reason why they're at school, besides chasing after Ichigo which definitely wouldn't work. They both glanced at each other and Rukia approached the situation first. "Well, when exactly do you want us to work?"
He smacked himself in the head with his fan lightly, still smiling. "Oh! I forgot all about the hours. There's no particular day or time because I'm letting you come work at the shop whenever you want, but you will have to work three days a week for at least three hours … because I like the number three." Again, they sweat dropped. "However, if I ask you to do a specific job for me outside of the shop then you pretty much have to be there or I'll kick you out, maybe even send you back to the Academy..."
"?!?!!??"
He started busting out laughing. "I'm just kidding again! Wow! I wish you could've seen the look on your faces!" Renji and Rukia both fell back in disbelief. He finally wrapped up his laughing. "In all seriousness though, if I give a time and place for a specific task that I've instructed for you then all I ask is that you see to it that you attend, or else I might not be so willing on letting you stay here for long."
They both looked at each other allowing a peaceful sigh and this time Renji answered. "Ok. That's fine by the both of us. Again we thank you for your hospitality and help."
He smiled and began fanning again. "No worries, your stay here is appreciated. Oh, and one more thing." He pointed his fan towards Jinta and Ururu who were sitting across the table to his left. "You guys already know these two; you'll be sparring with them every night and each other in the cave downstairs." He turned his fan to point at Tessai sitting across the table to his right. "And Tessai will test you in your other finer Soul Reaper skills. I don't want you two slacking off, after all."
They both looked at him baffled, but he soon eased their worries. "I understand that you escaped the Academy and loathe them with good reason. I can't allow the two of you to loose such valuable skills. I won't test you like dogs if that's what you're so worried about --though I doubt it-- but you will be trained."
He leaned back and admired them. "You've both managed to discover how to be Soul Reapers keep all your powers while mortal, still escape all Thirteen Court Guard Squads undetected and unharmed, and you still have full power of your Zampacto with its manifested forms to top it all off. The two of you obviously have immense spiritual energy with the skills to back it up, you can't just let that go to waste."
They both shifted more comfortably not as worried but still not completely convinced.
"I know that you both want answers and I'm not giving very many to the one's you want. I may be asking too much, but you two must trust me. If for nothing else, stay for shelter; you have no where else to go, no money, and that pretty soon leads to no food. Except my offer and help and in exchange work for me. Do we have a deal?"
Renji and Rukia shared another quick glance, this time they were more willing to except his trust. Rukia starred back at Urahara. "Deal."
A huge smile graced his face yet again and he rose to his feet quickly. "Great! Then I'll leave the five of you to talk about random things while I go walk around the block." And with that said, he walked out the door and was gone in seconds.
"...Um...?"
"The boss," Tessai stated, "always spends these past few hours by himself, normally he stays in here, but since there's so many of us he'll probably be walking outside for a few hours regularly now." He didn't smile but his voice was abnormally cheerful for a guy his size.
As much as he tried, his explanation still didn't answer anything than what they already knew: Urahara Kisuke can be one strange guy, any time, any place.
"I'm tired of Urahara always helping weird people, I have no problem with you Rukia, but pretty boy here doesn't appreciate the boss at all!" Jinta said with a grunt.
Annoying little bastard. "Why don't you go play with your little stuffed animals kid and let the grown ups talk." He smirked.
"What! Why I ought to---"
"No Jinta, you'll get in trouble if you keep arguing with our guests..." Ururu tried to pull the crazed red head back down while Rukia sighed and rolled her eyes as Renji kept laughing and smirking.
"Brat!"
"Bugger face!"
"Stupid kid!"
"Girly man!"
After a few more minutes of the maddening name-calling, Tessai slammed his palms on the table and rose to his feet, making everyone stop and stare instantly. "Both of you, settle down now." He said with a very powerful voice.
The two short-tempered red heads glared at each other one last time than took their seats back by the aggravated raved heads.
"To help calm your angry nerves," Tessai stated more peacefully, "you two will do the dishes." They gaped at him in protest, but just nodded and kept quiet.
Rukia nudged Renji hard in the side. "Ouch! Geez Rukia."
She glared back at him. "Geez yourself, do you want to get us kicked out?"
"That demon brat started it first."
"That's not the point, and you know it."
He crossed his arms and turned away a little. "Yes it is." He pouted.
She sighed again and turned to see a similar looking argument coming from Ururu and Jinta, but Ururu was of course a lot sweeter about it.
Tessai took the opportunity to get up and make some dinner while they all sat around arguing. It wasn't much, just some left over stew. He set the pot on the stove and turned it on to let it heat. Just what does the boss have planned for these two? I just can't seem to figure him out this time.
It didn't take long for the whole place to flood with delicious fumes coming from the kitchen. "Come get it while it's hot!" Everyone was already huddled around the steaming pot of wonderful smelling goodness and filled their bowls.
Renji and Rukia wolfed down their stew quickly, going back for seconds and thirds, no stew was left except enough for a bowl left for Urahara. Rukia and Renji literally out gorged themselves and when they were finally done they leaned back on the floor and held full bellies, something they rarely ever had.
Ururu looked up at them with huge purple eyes. "You two must really like Tessai's cooking."
Tessai sparkled at the compliment.
Renji couldn't even udder a sentence so Rukia did it for him. "We... just haven't eaten so much for so long... -burp- Oh, um, excuse me." She said embarrassingly. "And the meal really was wonderful." Then fell back on the floor yawning.
More sparkling pride glowing from Tessai, but he remained calm.
It took a few tries, but eventually Renji got up and started stacking bowls while Jinta grabbed the cups. He had never washed dishes because frankly, they never even had dishes, but oh well, he didn't want to suffer Tessai's wrath anyway. He grabbed the bottle of Dawn soap and a sponge from the edge of the sink, he turned the knobs and the water was scorching, but he loves hot water anyway.
"You rinse, I'll wash."
"No, I always rinse, you rinse."
Stomach too full to even argue, Renji just groaned. "Whatever." Then walked over to the other side of the sink.
Through all the annoying glares and "accidental" water spills coming from the both of them, they eventually finished the dishes and returned to the table. Rukia was discussing something with Tessai – about their training, so he guessed-- and Ururu would pop in a few statements to help, Rukia didn't mind because she thought that kid was absolutely adorable.
Renji sat down at his seat and leaned back lazily, grinning as he remembered finally talking with Ichigo. Strawberry ... I wonder what you're up to right now? Probably not having to be in the same room with an annoying brat.
Everyone was still caught up in random conversation, he leaned his head back and found the clock: 9:00. Damn, where'd Kisuke run off to? I thought he'd have come back by now.
Just then the crazy shopkeeper opened the door and walked in, still showing the same goofy smile on his face. He had a big brown paper bag crooked under his arm.
"Oh, wow you're still up? Well I'm surprised, after whatever Tessai cooks I can't last ten minutes without passing out!" He walked over and sat the bag on the counter then rummaged around inside it.
Renji thought of weapons or anything deadly and Rukia was thought of books or documents. Both were dead wrong. He placed about ten pies on the counter, leaving everyone completely confused. Tessai seemed to be the only one who wasn't surprised at all.
He smiled and looked back at his still wondering crowd, looking at him for an answer. "... Have you ever had the sudden urge to just go and buy pies?" --No answer-- "Well I did! I bought one in every kind they had!"
Even though they were still both utterly full, they couldn't help but suddenly crave the yummy looking pies.
"Ok then, which one do you want? Back away from the blueberry though, that one's mine."
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"I told you already, I don't know where he's from, who his family is, and that includes any younger siblings." Ichigo tried to explain to the hyper girls for the umpteenth time.
"Oh, come on Ichigo, you talked for hours with him, you had to find out a little more about him?" Yuzu said smiling at him; she hadn't stopped smiling or giggling since he came downstairs at 6:30 and it was almost 9:00!
"We just talked about whatever was on our minds. It's not like I planned on anything to say for him..." Ichigo tried to say again. Ichigo sat on the edge of the couch, Yuzu was sitting right beside him, and Karin sat in the recliner to the right of the couch.
Karin smirked at him. "Of course not, you probably don't even remember talking to him at all because you were too busy starring at him, right?"
Yuzu quickly starred at her with wide eyes and Ichigo felt the embarrassing blush return to him. Dead center, little sister. Damnit, how does she do that? "I wasn't starring at him the whole time…" That's a lie.
Yuzu quickly turned back to him. "So you were starring at him?" She said smiling so large it looked almost painful.
He sighed and reluctantly answered. "Yea, a lot actually… but it's not like I could help it, I mean, he just looked so ... so…" The blush was getting worse as he thought about him more and more, and he thought Yuzu might have a heart attack from all of her excitement.
Karin was calm and collective, but her eyes widened and she gave in to a grin. "How what do you think is going to happen?"
Yuzu jumped at the thought as well. "Yea! Do you think Renji likes you back?!"
Ichigo shivered as he heard his name again then hesitated for a second. He wanted Renji to like him back more than anything in the world. He wanted to be with him, but he didn't know how Renji felt about that sort of thing, he didn't know if he'd reject him because he's a guy or if he didn't like him back, he didn't even know if he already liked someone else. That thought alone made clutched Ichigo's stomach.
Still, he knew that there was something in his impenetrable eyes that made him want to believe that Renji truly liked him back. It may've only been a hint, but he felt Renji connect with him in a way he couldn't describe, a wonderful link between them that he wanted to strengthen.
He finally zoned back into reality. "I'm not sure about anything right now. I don't know if he likes me or if I even have a shot in hell. But I really want to be with him, to see where it goes. I at least want to be his friend, but I still don't know anything right now."
Karin noticed right away that Ichigo's stress was nothing like it used to be, but he was still worried. I don't know who this Renji guy is, but he's automatically ok with me if he can make Ichigo feel this relaxed just by talking with him. "Well, don't worry about it too much. If Renji's half the guy you say he is, I'm sure that even if you told him, he wouldn't be a jackass and leave you." She smiled, amazing Ichigo even more.
He looked to Yuzu and she nodded vigorously. "I think so too. He really sounds like a great guy. Do we get to meet him?"
Mentally smacking himself in the head for forgetting about tomorrow he quickly explained. "Tomorrow." Shocked and happy looks. "Yea, I asked him if he wanted to come over and help me study since he said he's real good at Algebra II and I suck at it."
Karin smirked again. "Uh huh, I bet you'll be studying …"
Yuzu looked at her with wide eyes again, "Karin…"
"What? I'm just saying." She countered still grinning.
"You two are hopeless." He sighed smiling.
"Oh, don't tell me that's not why you wanted him to come over." Karin answered, making Yuzu giggle uncontrollably and Ichigo blush.
Just then the door burst open and low and behold, there stood their crazy father in the doorway. He actually looked tired tonight, so Ichigo thought he wouldn't go all psycho on him. He was wrong… again.
"Ichigo!! You're sitting down when you should have your guard up?! Have I taught you nothing?!" He said in mock horror, or at least it looked like mock, but to his dad, it was probably true.
He sighed. "No dad, I was just sitting here talking—"
"Talking?! Even worse! You're exposing your weaknesses out loud!!" He stood out and posed dramatically, everyone sweat dropped.
"Hey, who said I have weaknesses any how?"
Yuzu looked hopelessly at her crazed father and Ichigo argue back and forth like they always do. Will Ichigo tell dad? I wonder how he'd react, but I'd never tell Ichigo's secrets with out his permission of course.
Karin had the same thoughts, but she knew that Ichigo and her father shared a bond that they'd never let us see. It was something that allowed them to communicate as adults on rare occasions. Even though their father was extremely childish, he respected his kids highly, especially his eldest son. So she was sure that neither of them ever know if their father knew about Ichigo's feelings unless Ichigo actually told them.
It was a strange logic, but men will be men. "Dad you missed the new House episode again." She said then turned her attention back to the unnoticed TV.
Isshin completely forgot about their argument and looked at the T.V in horror as he saw the very ending of House go off. "No! Not again! And I have another meeting tomorrow and I'll miss it … again! Nooo!!" He said even more dramatically, you could almost hear the violins… or at least to Isshin you could.
Thankful for the distraction, Ichigo winked at the two helpful sisters and turned to go up the stairs. "Night guys, I'm going to bed."
Isshin looked over at Ichigo. "Good night son." He sniffled and returned his hopeless gaze back at the T.V. "House, why can't you come on when I'm at home?!" He fell to his knees still whining. Karin and Yuzu just sighed.
Ichigo walked into his room and rummaged through his drawers. He found a pair of boxers, his baggy sleeping pants, and a white tank top shirt.
He made his way to the bathroom and turned the faucets on to let the water heat up while he slipped off his clothes.
He stepped into the shower and the water was scolding hot, but it felt great against his skin. He stood in the hot water pouring down on him and breathed in the relaxing steam. They're right, Renji's a great guy, even if he doesn't like me back, we'll still be good friends… but I know I saw something in his eyes…
Eventually he turned the faucets off and stepped out of the still steaming shower. He dried himself off and got dressed then walked to his room and slumped onto the bed. When he closed his eyes he could still see Renji, and smiled without even realizing it. One last thought followed him to sleep. Renji's coming over tomorrow…
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Yey! They finally met. The connection when they talked is kinda important –hint hint- Hope you liked it. Please review, that's just awesome. /\ /\, Renji's going to Ichigo's tomorrow, won't that be fun? XD
Renji: I'm not Ichigo's stalker…
R-Tiki: -scoff- Uh, yes you are. You're Stalker Renji. :D
Renji: Am not.
R-Tiki: Fine, then you're a Strawberry Obsessed Renji XD
Renji: …ok, maybe that… -redred-