Lost and Found: The Blue Crescent
Many, many thanks to Ghost-Hawk! This chapter is dedicated to you; I liked your suggestion, and it's in the story now! Thank you very much!
This chapter's word: Katana, which means sword.
Chapter 8
Previously:
Senna sat in her closet, feeling downcast. She'd just manipulated Orihime into helping her break up Rukia and Ichigo, giving some stupid reason that the girl easily believed. She hadn't even suspected that Senna liked Ichigo, which was good. However, no matter how bad she felt, Senna would get Ichigo, and make him realize that Rukia would one day ditch him. Again. Then, Ichigo would be all hers. Orihime was too timid to fight over her for Ichigo anyway.
Now, to get rid of the Kuchiki.
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Orihime sat in the kitchen, sad and feeling furious at herself. She'd known. Despite what Senna thought, she knew. She knew that Senna liked Ichigo, she knew that Senna was only using her; she knew everything.
The only thing she didn't know was how Senna would use her.
Orihime sighed, putting her head in her hands, sighing and staring down onto the kitchen table. She was a horrible, horrible person. But at this point, she was pretty much blinded with jealousy and love, unable to do anything but give in to Senna's words. Her previously strong resolve was a shadow of what it was, and she'd do almost anything right now to get Ichigo's love.
"Hey Orihime," Senna walked into the kitchen.
"Hi!" Orihime immediately looked up and put on a happy front.
Senna frowned. "Orihime, I know how you feel. Do you forget who I am? You don't have to pretend in front of me."
"Oh right," Orihime muttered. "I'm just feeling so…so bad though, Senna-chan. I feel so…dirty."
Senna sighed, offering Orihime a beer. The girl looked up in surprise. "S-Senna-chan! Where'd you get this from? I'm sorry, I don't drink…Kurosaki-san wouldn't approve, and neither would Kurosaki-kun!" Nonetheless, Orihime's fingers itched to reach towards the tempting bottle…
Senna tsked. "Orihime, Orihime. You're such a good little girl…sometimes, I wish I was as innocent and pure as you," Senna smiled sadly. "But I'm being taken over by this green monster in my heart…Orihime, just drink it; let it help you forget your troubles. As long as nothing goes out of hand, everything would be alright, wouldn't you say?"
"W-well, I--" Suddenly, the long-haired girl stopped. "Where is everyone?"
"Isshin-san, Yuzu, and Karin are at a relative's house. Didn't you see the note on the fridge?" Orihime shook her head.
"Um, then, where are Kurosaki-kun and Kuchiki-san?" Senna's eyes narrowed.
"They are…out." Realization dawned in Orihime's eyes and she sighed once more, taking the bottle timidly. Pulling out her own bottle of beer, Senna knocked her bottle against Orihime's.
"Cheers," she said, before downing a quarter of the bottle in one gulp. Orihime drank hers at a slightly more reasonable pace, determined to lose herself tonight, away from the misery.
"Cheers."
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Ichigo and Rukia walked down the street. They didn't hold hands or anything like normal couples, because they weren't really the romantic type. In public, anyway.
"I still can't believe you convinced me to jump out the window," Ichigo muttered, his hands behind his head, elbows sticking out.
Rukia snorted. "You said you wanted to get out of the stuffy house, and the quickest way would be through your window. Moron."
"Well, I never sa--" he stopped himself. "Hey…"
Rukia looked up at his change of tone. "What?"
"Do you think Senna was in the closet when we were having our little…um…" he coughed, "…conversation?"
Rukia's eyes widened. "…Uh…"
They stared at each other awkwardly, before simultaneously sighing. Rukia shrugged. "Sorry, but I just don't really care right now."
"Yeah, me neither."
"Pfft…ha, yeah right. You can't fool me. You've always been so protective of your reputation."
"Well is it really my fault that I don't care, just this once?"
"Hm, I think you're sick again."
Evil glares were exchanged.
"Hey Ichigo," she said, breaking the glare. "Where are we going?"
"…Well, I feel like going home now."
"What the hell?! We just got out and now you want to go home again?!"
"Yeah. You can stay out for a while, if you want. Our next door neighbour has this white dog that you could play wi--"
But Rukia was already zooming off. "I'll meet you at the house when I'm done!" She yelled back over her shoulder. Ichigo rolled his eyes and walked back home. Opening the front door with his key, he stuck his hands into his pockets, sauntering towards the kitchen. He was hungry. As much as he hated to admit it, the vicious little midget tired him out.
Reaching the kitchen, he stopped in his tracks and stared. Orihime turned around, clearly intoxicated.
"Kuro—" she burped, "—saki-kun!" She got up from her chair and wobbled over to him.
"Inoue?" He looked disbelievingly at her. Then he looked over her shoulder at Senna, who was unconscious on the floor. Beer bottles littered the table, but fortunately, nothing had spilled.
"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime pouted. "Where have you been?"
"I, uh…"
"I've missed you, you know!" She threw her arms around his neck and stared at him with huge eyes. "How have you been?? I've been doing good…Senna-chan is a good drinking buddy! And, you know, like, HUUUGE ROBOTS CAME, AND KNOCKED HER OUT! I was sooo lucky not to be knocked out, because she suddenly slumped--" Orihime gave a drunken impression of fainting, "and now, she's on the floor."
"Uh…"
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Rukia stomped into the Kurosaki clinic/house, mad. The dog had been mean, and not adorable at all. "Stupid Ichigo…" she muttered. "He totally did that on purpose. Wait till I get my hands on that stupid strawberry. He's gonna pay, and I'm not talking about Visa!" She stepped into the doorway and stopped, stunned.
"You know…" Orihime slurred. "I love you so much, Kurosaki-kun…I know that it's probably unrequited…but I just wanted you to know." She reached up and planted her lips on Ichigo's, crushing her body to his and shoving him against the wall.
His eyes closed.
Rukia's eyes filled with tears, and she ran out of the house, thankful that he didn't see her.
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Ichigo was going crazy. He couldn't believe Inoue, of all people, was drunk! Then, she kissed him, for goodness sake. Closing his eyes, he gently put his hands on her shoulder and pushed her away. "I'm sorry, Inoue," his eyes held sadness. "But…I guess, your love is unrequited."
Orihime's eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. "It's ok, Kurosaki-kun. I knew that already. I'm just happy that you know how I feel. A big weight has been lifted from my chest." She finally slumped, and passed out on him. Gently, he picked her up and put her on the couch, doing the same to Senna.
"Sorry," he whispered one more time, going up the stairs to his room.
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
After venting out her frustrations on a poor tree in the park, Rukia sat down on a bench, her knuckles bloody. How could she have been so stupid? Why would a guy like Ichigo want a girl like her? Orihime was prettier, nicer, sweeter, and a dream come true to all guys. And what was she? A mean, flat-chested, idiotic little midget who'd been played for the fool.
Looking up at the sky, she willed it to rain. At least that way, her tears would be hidden and she'd feel more at peace.
Ironically, the rain didn't fall, but instead, the wind blew with a vengeance.
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Ichigo was getting worried. Where was Rukia? She'd been gone for over two hours now. Grabbing his coat and getting ready to run out the front door, he put on his shoes. Looking up, he was surprised to see Rukia, who slammed the door behind her to keep the wind out.
"Rukia…" Ichigo straightened up, relieved. "Where were you? I was going to go look for you, but--" Ignoring him, she took off her shoes and brushed past him, heading for the guest room.
"Rukia?" Ichigo took off his shoes and followed her questioningly.
"I'm leaving," Rukia said emotionlessly.
"What? Why? Does Byakuya need you or something?"
Grabbing her things, she brushed past Ichigo once more. Putting on her shoes again, she tied up the laces and straightened up. Looking into his eyes one last time, she turned around, her back facing him, and said, "Goodbye, Ichigo." He froze. Why had that sounded so hollow, so dead…so final?
Rukia walked out the door, shutting it behind her with a small 'click'.
She knew that she'd never forget the look of shock, helplessness, and most of all, the hurt in his eyes.
KKKKKAAAAATTTTTAAAAANNNNNAAAAA
Orihime sat up on the couch with a headache. "Ow, ow, ow , ow, ow…" Squinting her eyes comically, she looked around. "Senna-chan?" She leaned over to the other couch and poked the girl.
Senna groaned and rolled over. "Five more minutes…" Orihime sighed and sat still, mentally going through what had happened the day before. Despite being half-drunk, she'd known what was going on. The only purpose that the alcohol had was to give her more courage…and to give her a hang-over.
Hearing footsteps from the stairs, she looked towards the staircase. "Kurosaki-kun!" She gasped.
"Hey Inoue," he gave a tired smile.
Orihime stood up abruptly. "Kurosa—oh, ouch…" Sitting back down, she put a hand to her temple. Looking up after the ache had dulled, she said quietly, "Kurosaki-kun…what's wrong?"
His eyes widened. He'd been heading towards the kitchen to get Orihime some aspirin, but her question stopped him. "Ha, nothing's wrong, Inoue," he said casually. He turned around to look at her.
"Kurosaki-kun, you can't fool me," she gave him a small smile. "Other people might not be able to tell…but I can see that you haven't slept all night. What's wrong?"
"I--" Ichigo started before sighing, realizing that lying to Orihime wouldn't do any good. Walking over, he sat down cross-legged in front of the couch she was occupying, and looked at the floor. "Rukia left."
"Kuchiki-san left?" As much as she wanted to, the gray-eyed girl couldn't understand why having Rukia leave was such a big deal. Perhaps she had something to do, or maybe her brother asked her to do something?
Orihime voiced this thought.
"Yeah, that's what I'd thought at first," Ichigo said in a slightly strained voice. "But when she'd said goodbye, it had sounded so…final."
"I--" At this point, Senna sat up and groaned.
"Oi, Ichigo, you got any aspirin?" Smiling slightly at Senna's rough demeanor, Ichigo got up and went to the kitchen, fetching the aspirin bottle. He tossed it to Senna and sat down on the ground again. Senna gulped some down before tossing the bottle to Orihime, who did the same. "You moron," Senna muttered at Ichigo. "You could've gotten us water. That would've made it easier to swallow."
Ichigo shrugged, not caring too much.
Senna hadn't been unconscious the other night. She'd been faking it, wondering what would happen if she didn't interfere. She'd been awarded greatly for her efforts. Evidently, the Kuchiki was gone, and Orihime was now out of her way.
She was happier than she'd been for a long time…until she took a good look at Ichigo and frowned. Feeling a pang of guilt, she stated, "You didn't get any sleep last night." Looking slightly surprised, Ichigo looked at her.
"Yeah. How can both of you tell? The only other people besides you who can are Rukia and my family."
"Hmph," Senna huffed. "Who do you think I am? I've been living in your closet for…I dunno, months?"
"And I've known you since we were children," Orihime stated proudly.
Ichigo smirked and started looking at the good side of things. Maybe Rukia would come back soon. He hadn't chased after her last night, too stunned to do anything. Once he'd slammed open his front door, he'd found that she'd been gone.
The only thing he could do now was hope.
