Old Enough to Know Better
Rating : M
Ichigo/Orihime
Welllllll, long time no see once again!
Yeah, still on those other fics of mine then lo and behold, this little gem popped into my head out of nowhere demanding to be written!
What started out as a short little idea in my head took a turn on the longer side (as we all know I'm apt to do).
Hope you enjoy this first part here and hopefully I can get the other one out before too terribly long! (Hey, it's not my fault! CoTA said all the lemons must be 20 pages now right?)
;)
"Mou...it's hot!"
"Yeah, yeah...we'll be inside soon," Ichigo replied - failing at keeping the exasperation from his voice. The sheer innocence and kindness of the healer always seemed to keep him from getting annoyed with her, but for once, his patience was reaching it's limit.
She giggled against his ear before leaning backwards, making him tighten his grips on her thighs. "Then giddy-up Kurosaki-kun!" Her hand flickered behind his head - mimicking a whip - and she laughed at her own actions. Had he not been worried about dropping his cargo, he would have rushed forward and kicked the irritating man now laughing his ass off in front of him.
"That's right Ichi~go," his father called back with a teasing lit to his voice. "You've got to hurry home with Orihime-chan."
"Fucking bastard," he grumbled under his breath.
They'd done it once more; defied the odds and prevented a crazed psycho from trying to destroy all that they held dear. Of course he was exhausted, but when everyone stepped from the senkaimon into Urahara-san's basement, the shop keeper produced several bottles of expensive sake from seemingly no-where. The promise of a celebratory drink wiped away the fatigue plaguing the group and everyone took a seat in his shop, gladly downing the smooth drink. Not that he - or his friends - joined in the drinking, but the food Tessai-san whipped up was good enough to stick around for.
Besides, how was he supposed to just up and leave when his old man was sitting there happily drinking with Rangiku-san and Toshiro? Ichigo wasn't really prying into that period of his father's life that he knew so little about, but if they were gonna just chat about the old days he wasn't above listening to their conversation. Of course, hearing the people he counted as his friends talking so friendly with their old friend and captain made him feel a little weird.
He'd get over it...eventually.
Clumsy fingers threaded through his hair, the nails scraping against his scalp.
"Hmm...Kurosaki-kun's hair is so much softer than I thought."
Just great, there was no way for him to hide the blush that erupted on his cheeks before his old man whipped that big head of his around to stare at him - and bust out laughing once more.
It was that damn conversation between his father and his old subordinates that had him paying little attention to what was going on. That led to this damn predicament he found himself in.
A room full of tired, but happy, people...
A seemingly endless flow of sake...
And Matsumoto Rangiku...
He should have fucking known better.
At some point during the evening, Rangiku had started slipping alcohol into the drinks she was passing out to his friends. Ichigo had managed to avoid her little 'prank' by sticking to just drinking water - he'd still felt somewhat dehydrated after all the fighting. Ishida, Chado, and Inoue unfortunately didn't do the same.
Ishida - the prude he was - left the gathering first. Something about getting away from all the shinigami in the room. While there may have been a touch of truth to that statement, he was sure the bastard was just too proud to admit he was exhausted - as he'd stumbled a bit leaving.
By the time Ichigo realized what was going on - thanks to some loud laughter and uncharacteristic giggling from the woman on his back - things were far too gone. After he got done screaming at Rangiku, they were all still minors for fuck's sake, he tried to assess the damage she'd done. A text to Ishida confirmed he was indeed home, and only a touch more of a prick then normal. Inoue was dancing about as if she had not a care in the world, and Chado was not simply lounging against the wall in silence as he normally did. The gentle giant was effectively passed out and no amount of yelling or shaking was waking him from his slumber.
Oh they're fine Ichigo, his father insisted.
Just let them stay and sleep it off, Yoruichi said.
I'll happily look after them Kurosaki-san, Urahara-san said from behind his fan.
Chado was fine, the big lug could always look out for himself, but Inoue?
Grimmjow sat in the corner, sipping sake from his cup. The cold smirk on his face and heat in his glare pissing off the vizard with every second that passed. He didn't care what the others said, he wasn't trusting the Arrancar that far. He wouldn't. Every time he looked his way he could still see his big hands wrapped around Inoue's throat. He could remember his veiled threats about her well being while she was held captive with Aizen.
And they thought he was just gonna leave her there?
With Urahara-san and his perverted ass to, supposedly, look after her?
Ichigo had grabbed her arm and gently tugged her from the room with every intention of making sure she got home safely in her inebriated state. That was, until she almost fell three times just trying to put her shoes on. The fourth time she did fall and simply stayed there on the ground, all smiles and laughs with her flushed cheeks and messy hair. Ichigo had caught the curious eye and amused smirk of his father before picking her up, tossing her over his shoulder, and walking out the door.
"Ichigo!" The old man yelled as he hurried after him. "That is not the way you carry a lady!"
"Ish okay Kurosaki-san," she slurred slightly, trying to push her long auburn hair from her face to see him. "It's no...hic...it's not the first time he's done it."
Ichigo found himself unable to proceed as Isshin had stood before him, arms crossed and glaring. "Ichigo," he warned. Not wanting to deal with his mood swings, Ichigo quickly dropped Inoue to her feet before swinging her up behind him, her knees now gripping his hips.
"Better?" he asked, sarcasm lacing the word.
"Much," Isshin said, that grin fully returned to his face.
He trudged past his annoying father, letting him fall in step beside him, as he made his way home.
"Hmm? I thought you were taking her to her apartment?"
Ichigo glared at his father, hating the curiosity in his voice. "She's clumsy enough sometimes; she'll probably only hurt herself if I left her alone."
Isshin shook his head in understanding, mock seriousness on his face. "True; it would probably be for the best if she stayed with us tonight."
Ichigo grit his teeth while he inwardly cursed all the damn adults he'd been stuck with that night. Everyone of them caused him nothing but trouble.
Now, as he slowly let Inoue slide to her feet and prop against the wall, he was coming to a loss as to what to do. Her eyes were glazed, cheeks still pink from the liquor, and that warm smile gracing her face. One of her hands still gripped the sleeve of his jacket as she held her self upright, gazing up at him in a way that seemed foreign, yet somehow familiar.
"Kurosaki-kun," she whispered, lips slowly forming the word as if she could taste it.
"Why don't you go get her some water Ichigo," his dad interrupted, putting an arm around the woman's shoulders and accepting her weight. "I'll take her in the living room." Ichigo walked away, but not before turning to catch a glimpse of his old man taking off the girl's shoes. The vizard pinked a bit, realizing he probably should have done that instead of trying to decipher that smile of hers.
When he made his way back to the living room, he found Inoue sitting next to his father on the couch - both of them laughing as Inoue propped herself on his shoulders, her feet tucked under her.
The sight didn't sit well with him.
"Here you go Inoue."
"Thank you Kurosaki-kun," she smiled and accepted the glass. He made sure she wouldn't drop it before stepping back, intending to sit in the chair across from them, but the young woman wouldn't allow it. Catching him off guard, she grabbed hold of his hand and tugged his body towards her. He managed to turn slightly so he would fall into the couch instead of on the young woman.
"Inoue..."
"What?" she replied, eyes alive with innocence. With a dexterity she shouldn't possess at the moment, she turned herself on the cushion and laid her legs across his lap, stopping him from getting up.
It was enough to have that redness cover his cheeks once more. "Ino..."
"Ahhh~" Orihime stretched her arms above her head, rolling her head back and sighing. As the water started to spill, Isshin took the glass from her with a smile, doing nothing but watching as she allowed her body to fall back across his lap - trapping the Kurosaki men on the couch. "I feel so much better now!"
Despite the flush on his face, Ichigo managed to glare at his father. The man simply laughed at her statement and brushed the long locks from her face.
"I have to say I'm surprised Orihime-chan."
"Hmm? Why's that Kurosaki-san?" she asked, rolling her head on his thigh until she could look up into his warm, brown eyes.
"You must hold your liquor quite well." Isshin continued to run his fingers through her long hair, gently stroking her head.
Ichigo snorted, trying to ignore the shapely bare legs thrown over his. "You say that with her acting like this?"
"My boy, you didn't see how many glasses she drank. And look at the girl! She's not passed out, not puking everywhere, still able to talk...fairly coherently. She's just...relaxed," he ended with a chuckle.
Again, Ichigo felt the overwhelming need to beat the smug man in the face. "If you knew what Rangiku-san was doing why didn't you stop her!"
A bare foot tapped his thigh a couple of times before her small toes curled into the denim covering them. "It's alright Kurosaki-kun."
He stared at the delicate, red painted digits for a moment as if he'd never seen such a thing before. Ichigo finally shook his head, freeing himself from the sight. "It's not alright Inoue."
"Eh? Why not?" she pouted, tilting her head as she watched him. "Everyone's been so stressed. Why couldn't we all relax tonight?"
"Inoue," he began with a deep sigh; he almost felt as if he were talking to a child. "She got you drunk with out your knowledge or permission; not to mention you're underage. She shouldn't have done that."
"It's fine, it's fine," she said dismissively, arching her back off the couch - stretching much like a cat - before rolling her body back in place. Her legs stretched out further and she wiggled her toes as she made herself comfortable once more. The sight held both Kurosaki's attention. "I probably would've just went home and cried out my frustrations before I felt better. This way I don't have to." She peeked at him over her bountiful chest. "You worried me so much Kurosaki-kun."
Isshin continued to smirk at the discomfort of his only son. "It's not nice to worry a woman Ichigo."
Orihime popped up, propping herself on one elbow. "That's right Ichigo," she mocked Isshin's tone. "It's not nice to worry a woman." She found her own statement so funny she collapsed back onto Isshin's lap and dissolved into giggles.
When his father joined in the laughter, Ichigo blew out a frustrated breath, crossing his arms and looking away from the both of them.
"So handsome."
That whispered admission had him quickly looking back only to set his teeth to grinding. Inoue's hand stretched out, fingers lightly tracing his father's whiskered jaw - to which the old man only smiled.
"Why thank you Orihime-chan."
Her hand withdrew,moving to join the other one resting against her flat stomach, but she kept smiling up at the shinigami. "So much like Kurosaki-kun."
Ichigo was getting tired of feeling the heat rush to his face.
"Don't you mean Ichigo looks like me?"
Orihime seemed to honestly think about the question before smiling once more. "I guess you're right," she admitted with a laugh. "Except Kurosaki-kun has a funny frown he likes to wear."
"Oi! My face is not funny!" Ichigo protested. Fuck, why I am even listening to this stupid conversation.
"Nope," his father shook his head. "He stole that from me too."
It's my face ya bastard.
"Huh? Kurosaki-san has a funny frown too?" Orihime looked up, wide eyed and enthralled at the prospect.
"Yup. You wanna see?" She shook her head vigorously and continued to stare, waiting anxiously for this new discovery. Even Ichigo was surprised when his father dropped that annoying, overly cheerful personality of his and showed a face he rarely showed even his children to the woman laid across his lap. Ichigo looked on as she studied him closely...before sighing and getting comfortable once more.
"Nope, it's not like Kurosaki-kun's."
"What do you mean Orihime-chan?"
"When Kurosaki-kun frowns, his eyebrows draw down further like this," her finger met the frown she tried to produce and pointed to the crease between her eyes. "And his eyes close a little more, and his lips actually get a little thinner, and his..."
His father's eyes slid his way. The old bastard smirked at him while Orihime cataloged every nuance of his 'funny scowl' to his father. Even as she spoke about the damn thing, it materialized while he glared back at his old man. Ichigo did his best to ignore his continuing embarrassment at his father's delight of the situation.
"Dammit," he cursed beneath his breath, though not soft enough that the young woman speaking didn't hear.
"Eh?" Orihime questioned between her laughter. "What's wrong Kurosaki-kun?"
He turned away, hoping that at least his ears weren't red and he could try to save face here. Though, considering how much she seemed to observe about him, he wasn't keeping a great deal of faith in that. He hoped the alcohol still messing with her would help the process.
"Nothing my dear," his father answered and Ichigo could practically feel the humor in his voice. "It's just that my son is a bit of a prude, so having a beautiful woman drape her bare legs across his lap is probably making him uncomfortable."
"Stop looking at her legs you fucking pervert," Ichigo grumbled past clenched teeth.
"Kurosaki-kun isn't a prude. He's a gentleman," she mumbled, a pout forming to accompany the decisive nod of her head. "He wouldn't do anything disrespectful to a woman. Kurosaki-kun is a good man, so don't say that again," she finished with - what they thought was supposed to be - a stern glare.
"Yes ma'am," Isshin replied. Satisfied, Orihime closed her eyes and leaned back once more, giving his old man the opportunity to turn back to him with a shit eating grin plastered on his face.
God, this is never going to end is it?
With a gasp, Orihime sat up, her legs still draped over Ichigo's as her worried eyes locked with his own. "Am I making Kurosaki-kun uncomfortable?" the rest of Isshin's sentence just now permeating her alcohol befuddled mind.
Shit.
He didn't know how to answer her. It wasn't that he was exactly uncomfortable, maybe a bit nervous - not that he was admitting that shit to anybody - with her ivory legs pressing against his own. Those damn shorts did nothing but make her long legs stretch even further for the eye. Ichigo didn't know where to look to make it seem he wasn't gawking at her.
And twice now he'd almost rested his hand on those shapely pillars.
His saw his father behind her, silently laughing at his plight. He swore he was kicking his ass in the morning.
"Oh! I know."
Again, with a speed she shouldn't possess at the moment, she twisted herself on the couch - without hurting herself or either of them surprisingly - and reversed her position. Now, her legs lay in his fathers lap while her head rested on his thighs. Ichigo was too stunned to even protest the movement. She smiled up at him, proud of her genius idea, and brushed the hair away from her eyes.
"Is this better?"
Pouty lips, half-lidded stormy eyes glancing up from beneath him, her cleavage now in plain sight every time he looked down...
"It...it's fine," he managed to say, not wanting to disappoint the hopeful look she wore, though his sanity was now hanging by a thread. The first blessing he had all night came shortly thereafter when she hid a yawn behind one small hand.
The chuckle from his right did nothing to ease his fraying nerves. "Shut the fuck up will ya?" he shot to his father in low tones.
"What?" he tried to ask in innocence, but Ichigo wasn't buying it. "How can you be so hostile with such a beautiful woman in your lap?"
Oh if only looks could kill..."You know damn good and well Inoue doesn't act like this! If Rangiku-san hadn't gotten her drunk..."
"Then I wouldn't have gotten to see her acting so cute and I wouldn't have any new material to tease you with my boy. All in all I'd say it worked out quite well."
"Sonofa..."
"And we got to hear all kinds of new information from her!" Isshin continued, ignoring his son's complaints. "She seems rather...fond of watching you doesn't she?" That statement shut his son up rather quickly and returned that damning blush to his face. "And so defensive of your character! My my Ichigo, I didn't know you had it in ya."
"I haven't done a damn thing, so shut up!"
"Well," Isshin began, lifting Orihime's legs gently and sliding from beneath them. "That is a pity to hear." He began to walk out of the room before Ichigo called out to him.
"Wait! What am I supposed to do about Inoue?"
Isshin paused, looking over his shoulder at his son. "You could sit there all night and be a good pillow for her." The glare sent his way was one he was unfortunately used to. With a roll of his eyes and a sigh for his son, he waved a dismissive hand and continued on to his own bedroom. "Your sisters are at a friend's house. Just take her to their room."
He was glad, at least, to be rid of his father's presence, but he still had his beautiful friend now passed out on his lap. Ichigo sat there for a moment longer, watching her peaceful countenance in sleep. She'd done quite a bit to embarrass him since he pulled her from Urahara-san's shop, but he knew it wasn't intentional. More than anything, it made him angry at himself.
Why should he be getting so embarrassed over a few words, compliments really, from his friend? Ichigo knew the deep seated answer to that question, but it wasn't something he wanted to explore at the moment.
Taking care not to wake her, he slid out from under her head before standing and slipping his arms under her shoulders and knees to carry her to the twin's room. She stirred a bit, but immediately snuggled closer to his warmth as he climbed the stairs. It was a bit difficult to toe open the door and make his way around their furniture, but he was finally able to get next to the bed. Only when he laid her down and was about to move his arms away did the healer stir from her drunken slumber.
"Kuro...saki-kun?" Her eyes parted slightly and, when she saw his face in the moonlight filtering through the window, a gentle smile pulled her lips up. His arm was still trapped under her shoulder so, with their close proximity, it was rather easy for her to wrap her arms around his neck – pulling him close.
To say he was shocked to find her lips suddenly upon his would be an understatement. The vizard found himself unable to do anything other than lean over her in shock while her mouth captured his own. Her sweet smell, tinged with the sake of earlier, invaded his nose – reminding him that she wasn't really aware of what she was doing. Ichigo grabbed her shoulder, pulling back from her lips.
"Inoue thi..."
She lifted herself higher, gripping onto his neck and once more taking possession of his lips. Ichigo could make no movement to protest before her tongue found its way into his own mouth, almost shyly stroking his own.
God he knew he shouldn't be letting this happen, but the pleasure leaking into his body was putting up a strong argument to let this continue. When she moaned against him, he figured just a little bit more couldn't hurt...right?
Ichigo leaned her back against the bed, keeping his body from crushing her by propping his hand by her head. Inoue's fingers ran through his hair, nails scraping against the scalp sending shivers along his spine. Ichigo couldn't continue to allow her to lead them in this kiss. He pressed her against the pillow, letting his chest slide against hers, and took control of their actions. Orihime readily gave into his lead, opening her mouth wider as he demanded entrance.
His free hand gripped her waist, squeezing the tender flesh there before sliding up her back. Though he wasn't trying to push her clothes out of the way, he found his calloused hand against the silky skin of her back. The subtle dips and grooves of her spine, the space between her shoulders, the gentle curve of her waist leading to her hips, Ichigo was enthralled by it all.
He panted against her lips, sucking in oxygen as if he'd been in battle for hours as he danced his fingers along her stomach. "Kuro...Kurosaki-kun," Inoue's breathing was in much the same state as his own.
Their lips met once more and they continued to devour one another, passionately embracing as if they'd been apart for years. The whimper that came from the women beneath him sent a jolt through his body, like a primitive call that awakened something in his blood.
God she just tastes so good.
Even with the tinge of alcohol in...
Ichigo abruptly pulled back, holding himself over her and suddenly felt guilt like never before slam into him as he took in her passion glazed eyes and kiss swollen lips.
"Kurosaki-kun?"
What the fuck was he thinking?
He had his drunken friend, in his sister's room, with his father sleeping downstairs, and he was what? Taking advantage of that by practically ravishing her?
What the hell had gotten into him?
"What is it?" Her warm hand cupped his cheek, fingers sliding into his hair, as her breathless voice beckoned him.
Ichigo shot up from the bed, turning around quickly and rubbing his hands along his face.
"Kurosaki-kun?"
"I'm sorry Inoue." It was all he could manage to say. What else could he do? How did he repair the damage he'd done?
"Sorry? For what?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her, feeling too shamed to fully face her at the moment. She was propped up on her elbows, eyes searching the darkness for his face. "You're still drunk Inoue, you should get some sleep." With a heavy heart, Ichigo trudged towards the door, wanting nothing more than to shut himself away and reflect on his horrible actions.
"Are you sorry for...kissing me?"
"I shouldn't have don..," Ichigo stopped himself, opting instead to let out the heavy feelings in his heart through a bone weary sigh. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
"I don't even get a say in this?"
It wasn't so much the words she used as it was the incredulousness they held that made him stop and turn. She sat fully up in the bed now, arms crossed, and an angry tilt to her lips.
"Inoue you're still..."
"If you finish that sentence, I swear I'm going to throw something."
"Wha...," he couldn't even finish speaking before she lit into him once more.
"Stop using the same excuse would ya? I don't wanna hear them. If you didn't want to kiss me you could have just walked out earlier! Did you do that? No. Now here you are after the fact apologizing for something I've waited years to have happen!"
Ichigo couldn't have cleared the shock from his face should someone have demanded it from him. "Inoue what are you..."
"Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? No, of course you don't. Why should you know how I fell? Here you go taking something that meant so damn much to me and turning it into something else you feel responsible for. God, I am so done with that!" The young woman threw herself back on the bed, turning away from him and pulling the covers up to her shoulders. "I'm done with this entire conversation. I'll never be as good as Kuchiki-san, it doesn't matter what I do. Great, now I have to apologize to her and that is your fault so feel free to take responsibility for that as well."
"Inoue would you just..."
"You can leave now Kurosaki-kun," she said, not bothering to face him, but the finality in her tone was obvious. "I think you've done enough for one night."
It was with shell shocked eyes that his body somehow found the ability to step out and close the door behind him. He didn't know how long it was that he stood there, staring blankly at the door cutting off his access from the healer, but what little moon light filtered in through the hallway window was gone before he was able to turn away.
He wasn't sure what the hell just happened, but he swore to every deity listening that the next person who gave Inoue Orihime alcohol would personally answer to him.
Yet even through all that happened, one thing stuck out in his befuddled mind.
She's waited for years, huh?
The sun had yet to peek over the horizon. Only a glimpse of the dull orange hues filtered in through the window, leaving the room bathed in the soft cloak of the retreating night. That only confused Orihime more, for she wasn't sure what woke her. When her mind clearly adjusted to consciousness, she wished she'd been left to her slumber.
A mild headache was the only malady bothering her after her unintended indulgence, but the memories she had sent her into a guilty spiral that threatened to make her nauseous.
Just what in all that was holy got into her last night?
Shaky hands covered her face as the horror that was her behavior came rushing back to her. Draping herself shamelessly across not only Kurosaki-kun, but his father as well, saying those brazen things while she reclined across their bodies, kissing Kuro...
With her hands still covering her open mouth, Orihime's eyes danced about the room, as if to see any physical remnants proving that last memory had occurred. Nothing was left behind except the searing memory of his hands and lips scorching themselves into her body. Trembling fingers touched the bedsheets as she recalled it all.
It was here, right here where he'd...
Orihime jumped from the bed as if it'd burned her. She had to brace herself against the nightstand as her legs began to shake in fear and shame.
She'd chastised him right after that blissful interlude, hadn't she? Some of the words were jumbled together, but she remembered ordering him from her sight.
Oh God, what have I done? What have I done?
Her mind whirled with the thoughtless words and actions she'd allowed herself to display the night before.
Why? Why had she continued to consume the drinks Rangiku-san had given her after she began to feel funny? She was so sure the busty shinigami didn't mean any harm in what she'd done. It was simply a time of good fun for everyone who'd suffered so greatly fighting once more.
But this night had done irreparable damage to the friendship she shared with Kurosaki-kun.
Orihime fought back tears as she imagined the disgusted face he would make when he saw her...if he would even face her after her wanton behavior.
That just wasn't acceptable for her.
She loved him so much, but more than anything she didn't want to be hated by him. Orihime wanted to be able to continue helping him, supporting him, she wanted to stay beside him no matter the position she occupied. If he wouldn't face her anymore...
She shook her head violently. That just couldn't happen. She would have to find a way to make this better.
The self-depreciating groan that tore from her throat was thankfully muffled against her hands. This is exactly why her onii-chan had always told her to stay away from alcohol! It turned you into a different person. He wasn't always like that, was all he used to say about their father. Now she knew for sure and she planned to prostrate herself in front of his picture to beg for forgiveness as soon as she got home.
Orihime eased the bedroom door open; trying so hard to make not a single sound as she exited the house. The best thing she could do would be to go home and reflect on her actions. Only then could she calm down enough to figure out a way to make Kurosaki-kun forgive her.
She left the door open, too scared to dare close it and wake up anyone in the house. Slowing her breathing and begging her heart not to beat so loudly, she began making her way towards the staircase. When she passed by Kurosaki-kun's door, she held her breath for her fear of waking him was so great. With slow, measured steps and her eyes trained on the wooden barrier, she eased her way down the darkened corridor. It took far longer than necessary, but she didn't care. Facing him right now was something she dared not even contemplate.
When she felt she'd gone far enough, the young woman turned back around, zoning in on the ever approaching staircase. She was simply thankful she'd not tripped or ran into anything – as even she was loathe to admit she was prone to do.
With her first step down, Orihime felt her heart breathe a small sigh of relief. No sounds had come from the other occupants of the home. She was almost there. Now, she simply had to get to the front door and make her way home as fast as she...
"Where do you think you're going?"
Her heart froze in her chest as a weighted ball of lead sunk into the pits of her stomach. That deep, melodic voice – though normally a sense of great pleasure to her – was the one she didn't want to hear the most at that moment. Orihime turned her head as little as possible, peeking through the curtain of her auburn hair at the figure lounging in his doorway. The light in the hallway may have been dim, but she didn't need anything more to catch the deep scowl on his face.
"I..." Her voice failed her. Even her lips refused to move any further as he pushed off the frame and crossed the distance between them in only a few steps. That large, strong hand of his clamped around her upper arm as he gazed at her with a fire in his eyes.
"Don't think you're getting away so easily."
There was little she could do in the way of protest as Ichigo pulled her gently, but firmly, to his room – closing the door sharply behind him.
A pair of curious, mischievous brown eyes peeked around the corner at the barren hallway. He made his way to that closed door, eying it contemplatively. There were no obvious sounds coming from behind the obstruction, which only peaked his curiosity more.
Still, with a nervous chuckle, and a thought for his health, Isshin descended the stairs. The ex-captain threw on his coat before easing his way out of the house.
"I think I'll just take a walk before breakfast this morning."
