Ultrabross's Vision
CHP 7: Surprise Luggage
Everything he said went through one ear and out the other. Never in his life was he so anxious for class to begin staring at the clock up front over the chalkboard. Why was this student so persistent? He felt sure his stance was made clear concerning the offer but apparently some couldn't accept rejection, "Are you even listening to me? Come don't be that way, all I'm asking is for is a name and the pleasure of employment to the Huang family. If moneys' what you're after you need not worry; we've got so much of it you'd be able to build a castle out of it all," Fang Fang paced back and forth beside his desk, "What do you say we make this thing official? Your name would be a start." Fang Fang put a hand out in front of him as if to shake hands.
With not even the slightest bit of interest Ichigo prolonged with ignoring him hoping he'd grow bored and find someone else to nag, "This guy's a complete nutcase...disappear already!" Ichigo thought tapping a finger over the desk. The idea Ling Ling was able to see him during his most recent battle didn't bother him, just as long as no one else could. In that way there'd be no evidence what she said was true.
"Think about it for awhile; don't give an answer if you're not yet ready," Fang Fang took a seat behind him, "We have all class after all."
Ichigo's head dropped forward, "I might consider it, but tell me one thing," A grin formed on the side of his face, "Will I have my own pedestal of worship, and lots of pretty girls? If I'm not treated like a king I'm goanna have to say no."
Fang Fang stiffened wanting to pull at his own hair perceiving the obvious sarcasm in the tone of his classmate. Powerful individuals were hard to come by, and recruiting them was even more of a task. Tsukune Aono had been no different, but according to Ling Ling this one was in another class all together, "What can I do or say to change your mind. I won't say a word of your true form, but if you don't enlist well …"
"It'll be your word against mine. Your sister is a zombie and in all likelihood has lost her mind. What she says doesn't count nor matter; growing up all incarnations of zombies I've been accustomed to are entirely brainless. Besides you weren't able to see a thing," Ichigo sat upright placing both hands behind his head, "Give it a rest already."
"Not once have you denied what Neesan said was true."
"Believe what you want but I was nowhere near the scene of the attack. If this Huang family of yours has so much money why hasn't your sister been emitted into one of the better mental institutions? Unless I've got an unknown twin running around your sis has lost it."
Before he could reply or make a statement the bell rang bringing up the beginning of class, "Hello everyone and welcome to Cooking Class Three."
XXX
Tsukune sat over the top of a table buttoning his shirt following the final test hopeful he'd soon be cleared to leave. After doing so he pulled his jacket off the coat rack slipping his arms through, "Tsukune you're free to go," A nurse declared opening the curtain blocking his view.
"Moka San is she…"
"She just awoke a little over a minute ago and is doing fine. I suggest speaking with her sometime later; we still have yet to perform tests on her and others that recently gained consciousness," The nurse handed him a lollipop from a jar over the countertop along with a hall pass, "Run along now, we don't want you missing even more class time."
Lifting his bag from the ground and positioning it over one shoulder, Tsukune exited the entire space into the main hall. He looked over his schedule refreshing his memory as to where he needed to be, "Cooking class with Mister Baywer." He wasn't familiar with the name considering the idea he might be new to the academy. The instant he turned the corner he bumped shoulders with someone losing hold of his schedule.
"Tsukune!" She called out wrapping her arms around him.
"Kurumu Chan," Tsukune replied only slightly placing one hand over her back, "I don't understand. Shouldn't you be in class?"
"I got to talking with Gin Senpai and lost track of time," She pulled him in close resting her chin over his shoulder, "I'm so glad you're ok Tsukune, I don't know what I'd do without you." She closed her eyes as he immediately pushed away bending over and recovering his schedule, "I'm off to cooking class; later Kurumu Chan." He took off in somewhat a jog making up for lost time. Kurumu remained still watching him turn the corner. She could almost feel tears form in her eyes; he would never push Moka aside like that! What did Moka have that she didn't, it seemed since day one the vampire was one step ahead.
The thought frustrated Kurumu feeling sick to her stomach. It was as though she was a spectator watching from the side; nothing she did or said would alter what seemed to be destiny. Moka would become Tsukune's mate and there was nothing she could do but watch. No! She wouldn't go down without a fight there was still time, even though the window of opportunity seemed to be closing. With her head held high she marched down the opposite hall heading to her next class.
Tsukune entered through the front door handing the hall pass over to Mister Baywer, "There was an incident but I'm all better now."
He looked around searching for an open seat seeing several, but quickly noticed two individuals sitting near the front he knew. He took a seat in the second row first desk, "Ichigo, Fang Fang, how's it going?"
Ichigo bit down on his tongue clutching his fists, "Oh great just what I needed!" He kicked at the ground not believing how bad his luck always turned out to be. Tsukune's timing couldn't have been any worse, "So your name is Ichigo…interesting, very interesting." Fang Fang pronounced smirking.
Tsukune noticed the intense expression over Ichigo's face coupled with the sweat running down the side of his head and clinched fists, "You alright Ichigo? You look like you're ready to strangle someone?"
"Yeah I've got to agree, Ichigo doesn't look so well; bad first day or something?" Fang Fang asked as more of a taunt than question.
"Shut UP!"
Tsukune gulped at his remark leaning the other way. Ichigo noticed so from the corner of his eye, "That wasn't directed at you." He made clear, allowing Tsukune to ease up. But if not him, the comment had to have been aimed at Fang Fang. When greeting both upon sitting he had no idea either were associated.
"In just a moment I'd like for all of you to get into teams of four. As far as classes previous to this one, I'm sure all of you haven't been asked to do a lot due to it being the first day but in here things will be working differently. I will first hand out menus of what you will be responsible for cooking first semester. Today however you will be given the task of developing a special kind of soup. There will be certain guidelines to follow, but you'll have a lot of freedom to make it your own along the way."
Whereas the instructor continued giving instructions another student entered through the front entrance handing him a hall pass similar to that of Tsukune, "Yukari Chan!" Both Fang Fang and Tsukune said at the same time. Ichigo had no idea who the girl was paying her no attention. She noticed Tsukune right away taking a seat behind him, "What took you so long to get here, I was told you were one of the first to wake?" Tsukune asked.
"That's true but I was catching up with Ruby San."
The three talked back and forth whilst Ichigo kept his concentration up front. Soon the menus were given out to all students. Only one recipe was handed to them, with specific steps which would allow them to select most of the ingredients that would go into their dish, "Now I'd like for you all to group with four others and follow me into the kitchen area."
Tsukune looked around for a couple seconds, "We four will do."
"Four…what do you mean by that? There's only you me and Fang Fang."
"That's right you and Ichigo have not yet been introduced." Tsukune said. Yukari and Ichigo set eyes on each other introducing themselves. The group of four stood from the desks following the instructor, "So Ichigo what about you and Fang Fang, do t…"
"I know this guy all too well," Ichigo cut off Yukari before she could finish.
"All too well ahahaha, think you might be jumping the gun a bit? We met just before the beginning of last period; I'd say there is a lot more about me you have yet to discover."
"The less I know about you the better." Ichigo emphasized.
Yukari and Tsukune gazed at one another getting the feeling an inside war was looming between Ichigo and Fang Fang. Neither had any idea of the back story as to why the two were at odds. All students trailed Mr. Bayward into the kitchen. He started with going over the safety hazards and what and what not to do if ever encountering specific problems. He then went on to show everyone where to locate all necessary supplies they'd periodically use throughout the first semester.
"Hey do you guys want to hear a secret about Ichigo, funny story a…"
Ichigo placed a hand over Fang Fang's mouth keeping him from talking, "Hey I just remembered, me and my buddy here have something to discuss in private," Ichigo pulled him off to the side away from the group of students. Tsukune and Yukari again looked at one another, but this time had even more worry in their eyes, "Do you have any idea what that was all about?"
Tsukune shook his head, "No idea. Let's hope they won't kill each other." Neither knew what was going on between the two, but it was something to keep an eye on. Ichigo removed his hand from Fang Fang's mouth pointing to a large oven, "See that there! Today is your lucky day because if you start spreading rumors about me, I'm goanna bake me some Fried Fang Soup! It'll have extra pepper, extra salt and whatever the hell else I can think of. And then after that I'm goanna make certain all our classmates get a bowl of the masterpiece."
"You can't be serious, that is preposterous!" Fang Fang's eyes grew in size stepping away from him.
"Lighten up I'm not being serious. Keep everything about me to yourself and we'll be cool." Fang Fang nodded returning to the group alongside Ichigo. For now backing off was the best course of action; after befriending him he could then try again with recruiting him. In less than thirty minutes he finished giving instructions allowing each groups to get started, "You may work together but each team member must have his or her own bowl of soup created in the end. Do a good job and have fun."
Everyone in Ichigo's group did their own thing for the most part except for a few exchanges between Yukari and Fang Fang about what to add. Seeing that they were being timed Tsukune found himself looking at the clock more than usual. Ichigo periodically tasted small bits making sure he wasn't putting too much or not enough of something into the dish. Most everyone lost track of time listening to the timer go off a little over thirty minutes into the assignment. Yukari was able to toss in the last of the green peppers, exhaling in relief.
"Time," The instructor called out, "You will now taste the soup of each member in your team and decide which is best. This will give me a better idea on who I should elect the cooking captains in this class."
Smaller bowls were taken from the cabinets above used for the samples, "So which of us should go first?" Tsukune asked.
"I vote me, you guys will love it." Fang Fang spoke with confidence.
Each of them took a sample from the larger bowl with Tsukune being the first to take a bite, "So what do you think?" Ichigo's face went purple running to the nearest trash. Tsukune and Yukari's expressions weren't very inspiring either, "What the hell did you put in this?!" Ichigo spat out what little he attempted to swallow.
"Sorry but he's right, that tasted like how could you say…bitter." Tsukune added trying his best not to come off as a jerk. Yukari decided against giving a comment.
"Ok wise guy let's try yours next." Fang Fang shouted pointing to Ichigo.
"I guarantee it'll taste better than something comparable with sewage," Ichigo exclaimed pouring each of them a small bit. The reaction was a lot different than to that of Fang Fang, "It could use a bit more spice but not bad for a first." Tsukune complimented.
Next up was Yukari, in which Ichigo stepped in close for a better look at her finished product. He scratched at the side of his hair with a raised eye brow, "Why does yours look like crap? Hopefully it tastes better than it lo…" Ichigo was unable to finish as a silver tub came out of nowhere from above hitting him over the head. His eyes went white for a couple moments seeing stars, "What the hell just happened?!" He rubbed a hand over his head with dizziness.
"I wouldn't talk bad about anything of Yukari's or she'll punish you." Tsukune informed.
Ichigo had no idea how she was able to pull off such a feat, but knew it'd be a good idea to stay on her good side. All took a sample of her soup, with each of them loving each bite, "Delicious, definitely better than it looked." Ichigo told.
The remainder of the class went by smoothly as they were dismissed from the class. Tsukune, Fang Fang and Yukari were met by Moka in the hall, "Good to see you up and about Moka San. If you don't mind there's someone I'd like for you to meet." Tsukune looked over his shoulder realizing he was nowhere in sight, "Did either of you see where Ichigo ran off to?" Fang Fang and Yukari shrugged their shoulders having no idea.
"Ichigo," Moka uttered removing a strand of hair from her face, "Is that the new student from first hour?" The name sounded familiar.
"That's correct, I'm sure he's probably on his way to his next class. He really isn't so bad; I'll introduce the two of you next time he's around." Tsukune informed.
Much like cooking class the rest of the day passed by smoothly with Ichigo returning to his dorm lying out over the bed staring at the ceiling. The first official day turned out better than he pictured beforehand, but it was certainly different than attending a normal high school. He thought about what would be in stored for him in the upcoming days and however long it took to eliminate every last hollow. His concentration came to a halt hearing a loud banging sound sitting up. He looked around setting his eyes on his suitcase, "What in the world?" The sound seemed to be coming from his own baggage.
He bent down unzipping the bag and as he did so a large stuffed animal in the form of a Lion leaped outward grabbing at his shirt!
"Kon WHAT THE HELL!" Ichigo yelled having no memory of packing the mod soul.
To Be Continued
