Okay guys and gals, I honestly have no reasonable excuse for how long I have left all of my stories to sit and wait, uni work, life work, losing weight take a lot of my time and energy, that was when I realised something, writing 10000 word chapters were really putting me, I didn't want to write them, I'd make progress around 2000 and then lose the passion of what I was writing, that was when I thought of a solution, from now on most chapters of any of my stories will only have around 2000 – 3000 words a chapter, this is mainly for my benefit, to keep my interest intact and allow me to get a chapter out every fortnight (HOPEFULLY, THIS IS ONLY A HOPE, NOT A DECLARATION OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN) I hope anyone who reads this understands and accepts this and continues to enjoy my stories… I thank all of you who have been waiting for my stories to continue and will aspire to do right by all of you by writing and entertaining. Now, with that emotional little explanation, I hereby present chapter seven of The Real Zangetsu (bet ya never thought to see that huh?)
The Real Zangetsu; Chapter 7: Week Of Downtime: Part 2 End (HOLY SHIT ITS HERE)
"The food here looks rather nice, don't you agree Ichigo?"
Ichigo glanced down at the menu grasped within his hands, his eyes scanning over a few of the menu items.
"Uh. Yeah sure…"
"It's strange that I haven't been to this restaurant before. The atmosphere is so peaceful."
I wasn't even aware that Seireitei had restaurants, from first look it seemed like this world was based around a very old-fashioned Japanese theme. I'm honestly surprised I haven't struck upon a kabuki theatre yet.
"You seem unsure about something Ichigo, what is it?"
Ichigo brought himself back to reality as he stared at the Taichou across from him. Honestly, she looked absolutely divine in the deep red kimono, her hair in that usual braid around her neck. Of-course Ichigo was unsure about something! He originally thought he was going to be forced into a date with the Ice-Queen of Seireitei. But now, life had decided to throw him a curveball in the shape of a beautiful woman.
"To be honest Retsu, for some bizarre reason I originally thought I would be going on a date with Soi-Fon. Not that I'm not happy about this surprise or anything, but… I, errr". Ichigo was at a lost, having no dating experience beforehand, he was understandably unsure on what he should and should not say. However, Unohana understood what Ichigo was trying to say, and chuckled quietly.
"It's fine Ichigo. I'd be surprised myself if I was made to go on a date with one person but ended up on one with a different person entirely. I'm sure you're wondering what, why and how this all actually transpired?"
Ichigo couldn't nod any quicker.
"Well, let's order food first and then I'll tell you. Sound good Ichigo?"
Another nod.
Unohana mused upon this situation, she found it quite amusing really. The young man who had almost single-handedly invaded the Seireitei and spoke his mind in almost every situation, was rendered almost completely speechless due to the date he found himself on. It was certainly a sight Yoruichi would tease about relentlessly if she was here instead of herself.
Soon, a waiter came over, dressed in traditional Kimono. Unohana ordered what she wanted precisely, whilst Ichigo fumbled over his words as he made his order. The waiter smiled as he noted down the order efficiently. Once finished he took the menus and bowed.
"It'll take around five to ten minutes for the food to arrive, we hope you enjoy your time here on your date." With that, he turned and walked away.
Ichigo was about to interrupt to correct the mistake the waiter made, when he stopped in thought.
What is this? What actually is this meal we're having? I would've called the "date" I was going to have with Soi-Fon, more of a battle of wills than a real date. But this? I know it's barely started, but I'm not having a bad time. Oh god, I wish I could talk to someone for advice.
Ichigo's mind wondered to his father and what he would say in this situation.
"Remember son! When you eventually manage to prove to me you're not gay and find a girl that you can make grandchildren for me. I want you to always remember one thing when going on a date with said girl! Wine is expensive, water is cheap. Especially when it's tap water!"
On second thought, maybe Ichigo would have a better chance with this date without anyone's help.
His father was an idiot anyway. Ichigo, with nothing else to do, began to twiddle with his thumbs in an attempt to keep calm. He had never been in a situation like this before, and had no real understanding on how to act. What was he to say? What was he to do? Compliments? Compliments sounded like a good idea, all dates began with a compliment right? Ichigo glanced at his date, taking a look at what she looked like tonight.
What do you compliment about? Face? Eyes? Clothing!? All of the above? All of the above sounded good.
But… How do you word the compliment? "Your face looks good"? "Your clothing enhances the beauty of your eyes"? "You look hot"!? What do you say!? All Ichigo could hope was that Unohana didn't notice his inner turmoil.
"Ichigo. Is something wrong?"
OH GOD! SHE NOTICED!
Sweat began to pour down Ichigo's face, his kimono suddenly felt unnecessarily restrictive. Was it hot in here? It felt too hot in here. Ichigo managed a quick look at his dates face, her lips were curved downwards, a small frown marring her face. Her eyes looked perturbed. Crap. Ichigo was ruining this date, he had to say something! He was a man! Something like this would not defeat him!
Come on Ichigo, you're better than this! Just open your mouth and compliment her!
"Youreyesarebeautiful!"
Ichigo spoke so quickly that his words became jumbled, but from Unohana's eyes widening slightly told him enough.
OH GOD! I SCREWED UP. YOU FOOL.
Ichigo's mind crumbling was halted by a gentle laughter. He looked at Unohana to see her hiding her mouth with her hand, her body shaking slightly in laughter. Ichigo was baffled, had he not ruined this date with his stupidity? Did he still have a chance at not messing everything up?
"Ah. Ichigo, whilst I'm quite flattered at your compliment, I feel I must stress that you take a deep breath. It seems like you're having a few problems speaking."
Ichigo chuckled nervously.
"Err… yeah, sorry about that, it's just that… I haven't really… ever been on a date… before…"
Ichigo peered downwards to hide his shame, he was being so foolish! He had invaded an entire different world with barely a worry. But now, on a date, he was a nervous wreck.
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
"Well, it's sweet that you're trying Ichigo, to be honest, I haven't really tried this date thing before."
Ichigo's head shot up.
"You serious? How have you not been on a date before!? I'd understand Soi-Fon saying something like that. But you? You're so kind and beautiful. How have you not been on a date before!?"
Unohana's eyes once again widened in surprise. Her mouth hung open slightly. This made Ichigo realised what he had just said.
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK DUMBASS. YOU JUST CREEPED HER OUT.
But Ichigo was wrong, he had not creeped the healing Taichou.
"Thank-you for your compliments Ichigo, I'm happy you think so well of me. But Indeed I haven't been on a date before. I'd like to blame it on work really. But I'm pretty sure it was because of another reason."
"What reason would that be?"
Unohana's eyes cast downwards, an unsure look crossed her face for only a split-second. It went by so fast that Ichigo wondered if what he saw actually happened or not.
"I'd rather not discuss that if possible. Ichigo, maybe one day I'll tell you."
"Okay, it's okay. I mean, this is only the first date anyway, it's not like we have to tell each other everything about ourselves."
Retsu was glad to have Ichigo's understanding, but the wording he used amused her greatly.
"First date? My, Ichigo, already decided there'll be a second date have you?"
Ichigo never thought his cheeks could turn so red.
Unohana's continued teasing was stopped as the same waiter returned to their table with their food.
"Here you are ma'am, sir. Please enjoy your meals." The waiter bowed before going back to work.
Ichigo didn't need any time to dig in. Anything to hide his embarrassment at this point. Unohana smiled as she herself began to eat. It was kind of cute to see the young man who stormed the Seireitei looking so flushed. She doubted that many people have seen Ichigo like this at all.
Ichigo nervously poked at his food, unsure on how to go about eating it, should he take his time, eating one piece at a time? Or should he scoff it down so he could excuse himself? He so wished he was doing anything else at this point, hell, he'd fight Kenpachi again instead of having this awkward feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wanted out and he wanted it NOW.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT ALLOWED IN HERE?"
Ichigo's neck snapped to the source of the noise so quickly you could have sworn there was a crack. However, he did not care about that, this as an excuse, a reason to leave, he just hoped it was something he could help with. Ichigo's eyes sunk into his skull as he witnessed the eleventh Captain of the Soul Society exclaiming at one of the restaurants staff as they meekly tried to turn the brutish Captain away.
I WASN'T BEING SERIOUS I DON'T WANNA' FIGHT HIM AGAIN
"Oh… it seems Kenpachi-san is looking for someone… who could that be I wonder?"
Ichigo's gaze shot back to the Captain sat across from him, his brow sweating as he noticed the devilish smirk adorning Unohana's face. Opening his mouth, he was about to speaks when the worse occurred.
"THERE YOU ARE ICHIGO!" Kenpachi's voice boomed throughout the restaurant as said mad captain charged towards the table Ichigo and Unohana was seated at.
AND THAT IS MY CUE TO LEAVE, looking across to his 'date' Ichigo shrugs shyly mummering "gotta go, sorry to say but maybe this sorta thing isn't for me, but I thank you for the food Unohana-san" and with that Ichigo flash-stepped out of the restaurant leaving a infuriated eye-patched captain and a chuckling healer. Unohana smiled, she was also thankful for Kenpachi's interruption, it seemed that this sort of thing was for her, besides she was far too busy making sure everyone in the Soul Society was fit and healthy. As the kind captain watched the imposing captain rush out of the restaurant most likely going to find her 'date' a thought flowed through her head.
Maybe if he was a few hundred years older.
Ichigo sighed in relief, he had just managed to outmanoeuvre the insane captain, it was quite easy in all honesty, Kenpachi was so fight-centric he had absolutely no ability to track be it with reiatsu sensing or simple tracking in general, Ichigo had literally thrown a fallen mop down an alleyway and watched as the moron stormed down said alleyway, not thinking for a second to look down the alleyway where the mop had been thrown from. That guy has some serious issues, I mean how is meant to represent order in this place? All he cares about is fighting… and that weird pink haired kid Yoshi or something. Ichigo shook his mind clear as he turned back down his alley, if he remembered correctly, all he had to do was take a left at the end and now he was lost.
Meanwhile back at the room Ichigo had left Zangetsu, inside the blades essence resided Ichigo's closest companions, keeping their promise at staying away from Ichigo's date, however what would these two mysterious and complicated parts of Ichigo's souls be doing now?
Got any fives?
'No, any twos?'
Go-fish cloak man!
'Damn'
Hey Flagpole?
'Hmm?'
You feel King's reiatsu rising?
'Indeed'.
You're not going to go help him?
'Are you?'
Touché Flagpole, he's probably just panicking like a bitch cause of the date or something.
'My thought exactly'.
Although to be brutally honest, I am getting so fuckin' bored here, we've played at least 10 games of this!
'You mean you've lost 10 games of this?'
SCREW YOU FLAGPOLE, SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS
'Always with the ass with you, isn't it?'
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY!?
'Nothing… Nothing at all.'
Uughhh, whatever, but either way I'm still bored here.
'And this is my problem how?'
Because you're here with me right now… as bored as me and you know I'll just shove that flagpole up your ass if you start brooding on your pole again. AND DON'T START WITH ASS STUFF, I KNOW I SAY IT A LOT DEAL WITH IT.
…
…
…
'Blackjack?'
…
…
…
Just deal the damn cards…
Chapter End!
Heyo! What'dya guys and gals think? Any Good? Does the length disappoint at all? I'm sorry if you're at all annoyed at the new length chapters will be but as I said above, this is for my benefit so I can get these chapters out and that I enjoy writing instead of dreading it, once again I'm so sorry and I hope anyone who reads this is still invested enough to read this story or any of my stories. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart and hope you all understand. And to leave you all with the usual catchphrase of mine;
This is Skeleturd Signing off JA NE
