Chapter 7
Yelling at the top of his lungs…
"Why didn't anyone wake me up? It was a bad idea. I said I didn't need any damn sleep"!
"Relax carrot top we all only slept for an hour". Renji calmly answers as Ichigo scratches the back of his head. Just like when he's deep in thought suddenly remembering Urahara cast a kido spell that allows you to sleep for a full eight hours or so. In actuality you've only slept for perhaps an hour. "Besides Carrot top you need the rest to gain strength ".
"Where's everyone else"?
"Showering or eating. You should do the same".
"Renji I've thought of someone else that might be able to help us".
"Who"?
"Hanataro works over in a pharmacy now. My dad sometimes goes over to get something's his clinic might not have".
Chad walks in.
"Hi Chad".
"Hi Ichigo".
Ichigo grabs a towel as Renji leaves with a towel past the guys.
"Bye Chad".
"Bye Renji".
The door closes.
"Hey where's four eyes"?
"He left a few minutes ago, said he would join up with us later".
Another hour passes by and the same partners head out again, this time Chad is by himself. Ichigo and renji walk into the pharmacy looking for Hanataro. This time Ichigo has some semi loose dark denim jeans snug around his waist, a white snug t-shirt, a navy blue Yankee's hat to help with the sun, comfortable white and navy blue Nike sneakers for running. Renji has similar jeans fitting the same way it does Ichigo , his t-shirt however is light gray with the words "don't hate me hate the game", a dark grey hat with Boston written in red letters, same sneakers as Ichigo.
"Must you always oppose me? I mean why Boston"? Ichigo being annoyed.
"Why did the taco you ate earlier give you a stomach ache"?
"What in the world does that have anything to do with this"?
"Give up carrot top? To annoy the shit out of you! There's your answer".
Renji is laughing aloud while Ichigo's right eye begins to twitch with annoyance.
"You stupid cracked out red headed baboon. Besides I took a shower"!
That just made him laugh harder, neither noticing that there is someone else laughing right along. Ichigo looks to see Hanataro standing there.
"Sorry Ichigo-san but that was funny". The two begin to wipe their teary eyes from the laughter. Fifteen minutes go by and he explained all that happened while he was with her. "I apologize that there is nothing else I know that could help".
Ichigo puts his right hand on Hanataro's shoulder.
"Don't apologize, at least we know she's okay had some food, rest and is coherent. Thanks for taking care of her".
"Yeah buddy, you did really good". Renji reassures the young man.
"You have my cell number if she comes to you or contacts you please call me and try to hold her up till we can get here".
"Sure thing but please let me know what happens".
Both guys nod and walk out.
"Where to now carrot top"?
"Well Rukia tries to avoid places packed with people so let the others look through that mess. Let's go to the parks and to our school since classes are out".
"Sounds good to me".
Rukia is looking at the walls with decorations and bulletins.
"Ichigo and the others will be graduating soon ".
She enters the classroom where she pretended to be a student. She sits in Ichigo's chair and begins tracing the corners closing her eyes and letting memories take flight…
"Oh come on strawberry, show me how it's done".
"What part of no didn't you understand"?
"Fine but you'll be sorry"! She transforms her pout into a wide maniacal smile and her eyes are slightly open. She walks over to Keigo. In her most girlie tone ever she hands him a sheet of paper. "Keigo-kun he won't do one for me, please oh please do it for me".
With every word she says Ichigo cringes, he walks over, snatches the paper from Keigo and drags Rukia by the wrist away from the classroom. She is blushing furiously, he doesn't notice since he's pulling her. At first it was by the wrist, then by open palms meeting awkwardly. They started darting past students in the hallway, it was getting crowded so simultaneously their fingers intertwined. Rukia didn't think she could get any redder in the face but she did. They go up the stairs and reach the rooftop. Both are panting however hands still tightly together. Ichigo walks them over near to the edge.
"Alright midget this is how to make a paper plane 101 so pay attention". He takes out two sheets of paper, he grabbed the other on the way out of the class, he hands one to her. "Just do what I do okay".
She salutes him like a soldier.
"Yes sir"! He begins to explain as he folds the paper with patience. Rukia is a quick learner except when it comes to her drawings. They admire their handy work. "Well that was easy Strawberry".
"Told you, but in the future don't ask anyone else for help with these things".
She puts on her fake smile.
"Why Kurosaki-kun? Does it make you jealous"?
He blushes and scratches the back of his head.
"Shut up. No way, it's just that it looks funny to others that a high school student doesn't know how to do things like opening a juice box or how to make paper planes".
"Fine if you say so. Do you have a pen or pencil"?
Ichigo hands her a pen.
"What's it for"?
She takes the pen and writes something on it. He can't see what it is. She puts on a huge genuine smile. He can't help but to smile back.
"A Forgotten Four Letter Word".
"What does it mean? How did you get to fit that whole phrase on"?
She turns to look at his confused expression.
"Maybe someday I'll tell you. You should write something too so that it can soar high into the sky. It makes you feel as if the sun will nurture your wish, just like it nurtures life".
He takes the pen and writes something on his plane. The rest of the gang joins them and decide to throw their planes together. Rukia and Ichigo both steal a glance at each other and smile as everyone lets go of their planes.
Rukia drowns out the gang and remembers the time it was only them two up there, if only for a brief moment in time.
"Thanks Ichigo, maybe I'll get the chance to tell you…"
She opens her eyes with a smile on her face. She walks to the blackboard and picks up a piece of chalk.
She begins to write on the board the very same words "A Forgotten Four Letter Word".
"I guess you were never meant to know".
Taking a deep breath she walks out of the classroom.
Ichigo and Renji head to a park near the school. Ichigo hangs up his cell noticing Renji is talking to a group of guys and girls. Renji walks over with one of the guys.
"This guy saw her".
"How do we know it's her"?
"He described the dress and her perfectly".
The guy looks at them both and explains to them what happened.
"Honestly who could forget a girl like that? She still looked sexy with a bloody scrapped up knee".
The guy was smirking at them, Ichigo however didn't have a smile and he looked at the guy with murderous intent. Renji steps in front of Ichigo to stop him. The guy didn't even notice.
"Could you point to the bench"?
"Sure, right over there. Hope you find her before I do, if not I will take her"!
The guy laughs and joins his friends. Now it's Ichigo's turn to stop Renji.
"Come on he's not worth it we need to find her".
They head to the bench and see drops of dried up blood on the ground. They follow it to a water fountain.
"How long ago did that waste of space say she was here"?
"About an hour and a half ago".
"Come on lets go to the school, it's near here". They run to the school grounds and look around then they make their way inside. "Renji take the first two floors and the pool I'll take the others and the auditoriam then meet me at our classroom".
They part ways running around yelling her name out. Ichigo finally gets to their classroom after running for some time. He walks in and wipes the sweat off his face with his t-shirt, looking up he suddenly stops. The room is so quiet all you can hear is his breathing. He walks over to the blackboard and takes his hand to trace the words, Renji comes in panting.
"Rukia was here". Ichigo states it with certainty.
"How do you know"?
He doesn't answer instead he runs out the door and heads to the stairs leading to the rooftop.
Author's note: Hello there wicked ones! Disclaimer: I don't own the Yankee's, the Boston Red socks or Nike. If I did I'd be rich! Lol
Will Ichigo find Rukia in the next chapter and where is Uryu? Keep reading! =)
