Hi everybody!
Chapter 4 is finally finished. :)
Please forgive me if there are any mistakes, corrections are welcome!
Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.
'dialog'
Ichigo's thoughts
Ichigo's inner voice
Rukia's thoughts
Have fun! :)
X
Ichigo was insomuch preoccupied coming to terms with the thought of Rukia dying that he didn't notice the whispering between her and Renji. Until he heard her calling, obviously meaning him.
'Won't you come out of your hideout and show yourself, Ichigo?
His face flushed instantly with shame as he slowly walked up to them.
'I apologize for eavesdropping.', he mumbled with his eyes glued to the ground.
Rukia laughed. 'We noticed you from the beginning, but my condition is linked to yours, so we decided to let you know this way.'
As Ichigo raised his head, he saw something he hadn't expected to see.
Renji's hands rested on the girl's hip and she had placed her arms on his chest. It looked like the ending of an embrace. The sight made his stomach curl up, even if he didn't knew why, he became angry and the sudden urge to separate them from each other and to punch him in the face was swelling inside of him. His inner voice tried to calm him. Remember, they know each other, maybe they're friends..But this explanation didn't help..He might be her boyfriend. I feel like vomiting right now. He focused back to Rukia, as she began to explain how they would handle the situation in the future, still trying to ignore his burning stomach.
'There won't be many changes. I'll stay with you until my powers have returned to leave Karakura. In the meantime, you'll fight the hollows for me. Renji will report, that the hollow activity is too high for me to return yet, but not enough to send support. If someone becomes suspicious, he'll warn us.'
Ichigo nodded in agreement, relaxing a bit. Until Renji added. 'I won't return right away.'
His face fell immediately. Why can't you just leave us alone..annoying pineapple.
'I'll go back when I ensured that you treat Rukia the way she deserves it.'
'You don't have a reason to stay any longer in that case.' Ichigo growled with clenched teeth, but his opponent ignored him. Rukia sighed heavily. She had noticed the tension between her friends and wondered if they will ever get along. She freed herself to face the orange haired boy completely and took a step forward. 'Renji's an old friend of mine, we can trust him.' After Renji had nodded, she smiled friendly and continued convincing Ichigo, her voice softer than ever. 'So I beg you to treat him decently to pass the time peacefully, we had enough trouble lately, don't you think?'
He didn't like the thought of being controlled by a stranger, but somehow Rukia managed to win him over, so he mumbled 'Yeah, whatever.' and began walking back to class because lunch was over. The two shinigamis followed him, the smaller one obviously pretty satisfied with her powers of persuasion. No one can resist the charm of a young lady, even someone like Ichigo, the exhibit A for being unaware ofany sort of feminine charms. She chuckled. Have I wrapped you round my little finger, Strawberry?
XX
Their uneventful afternoon went by quickly and they had to separate too soon for Renji's liking. He managed to get a seat behind Rukia and they had laughed the whole time. It hadn't been that easy to kid around since she had been adopted by his commandant. At the next street crossing he stopped abruptly. 'I have to turn left now, see you tomorrow morning Rukia, strawberry.'
'Huh?' Rukia seemed confused. 'Oh I get it, you're staying at Urahara's, right?'
'Yep, we thought it would be more pleasant for all involved.' He left (after he head embraced Rukia, clearly enjoying Ichigo's reaction, who glared at him, obviously wishing for him to go to hell) but paused after crossing the street and turned around while he was still walking.
'Oi Strawberry, I keep you in mind!' That's based on mutual terms.
Ichigo and Rukia proceeded on their way and finally arrived at home. While he entered through the front door, being greeted by his over-motivated dad (ICHIGOOOOOOOOO! YOU'RE LATE! - GET OFF OF ME OLD MAN! [clanging and chinking] – OH, MASAKI! OUR SON HAS REACHED PUBERTY! HE'S SO MOODY ALL THE TIME! - SHUT UP!), she sneaked in through Ichigo's window. Waiting for him to escape from his crazy dad. Although I guess I would like him and the rest of his family, they always sound nice.. She decided to make use of the commotion downstairs and took an extensive shower. After Rukia had attired her pyjama, or in fact Yuzu's because she still hadn't one for her own I really have to convince Strawberry head to take me shopping, I need my own clothes! and made herself comfortable on his bed. She knew it would make him freak out seeing her lying on his bed again, but it was amusing her every time he got upset about her actions. She looked up at the ceiling and wondered how long she would be staying with him. His company somehow comforted her in a way she never knew.
If I could only name this feeling I have when I look at him.. She often observed his body when he was unaware of her stares and was about to remember these pictures of his perfect physical appearance she had carefully kept in memory when the door swung open and the boy she was thinking about came in. 'Move.' She did as she was told and he placed himself next to her, joining her watching the ceiling of his room.
After what felt like an eternity, Ichigo broke the silence between them, even though it hadn't been embarrassing. He did it because he was eager to ask her something, a question he wanted to pose the whole time he had lain next to her. But it seemed like he had found his voice just now.
'Is he your boyfriend?' While he was holding his breath tensely, she had to conceive what Ichigo meant. 'He' has to be Renji. Wait. Had it looked like we were together? He was only hugging me! I mean, we're friends at least..and why would Ichigo care above all?! 'No he isn't, we're just childhood friends.'
Since they lay next to each other on their backs, neither could see the other's facial expression, but she definitely noticed him breathing again. What is this all about? At first, she wanted to drop the subject, but curiosity got the better of her.
'Why do you ask?' He thanked god for their position, because she couldn't see him blushing madly, but she awfully well felt him shifting next to her out of discomfort. I knew it. I knew she'd be the curious midget again. Why have I asked her in the first place?!
'I just wanted to know.' That didn't sound convincing. 'I mean.. if you were, I think you would have wanted to sleep at Urahara's too I guess and.. I don't know, I just wanted to know, okay!? The way he touched you told me that you're very..familiar with each other.'
He spoke the last sentence in an undertone of jealousy, clearly audible to Rukia. I had never thought of him being the jealous type.. She chuckled quietly. I should use this information tomorrow to look how quickly I can drive him up the wall. Or I guess I could tease him right now.
'There's no need to be jealous, Ichigo. It wouldn't matter anyway, I have to stay with you because you do my job at the moment.'
The heat radiating from the body next to hers made her feel somehow secure, causing her to get sleepy during their conversation.
'I'm not jealous!'
'Yes you are.' Silence. Victory.
As neither of them spoke another word, she closed her eyes. Ichigo in the meantime was still thinking about a special friend of Rukia. If he's just a friend, would it be acceptable if I hug her too? I think I'm also a friend of her.. He suddenly felt something heavy pressed against his chest. He froze immediately. It was alive. It was breathing steadily. It was Rukia. Rukia asleep and snuggling up to his chest, his heart racing like crazy inside. Calm down Ichigo.. everything's fine..there's just a cute girl on your body..After he took a deep breath, he felt himself slowly relaxing. His eyes wandered one last time over the tiny body lying all over him, before he surrendered to sleep..Then again cuddling with someone you like isn't the worst thing..with a little smile on his lips.
X
What do you think? Please review!
The next chapter will be coming soon, I'm writing as fast as I can. ;)