Description: Character speculations, the "murder" reveal, and Ichigo finally admits to being a douche. Lol. Not incredibly eventful, but angsty, and something to keep you going until I finally get more time off work. Ugh.
I really like how this story is panning out much better than my own life did. I know it's weird, she kills one of the guys and her thing with Ichigo is not working out, but it's somehow better than my own version went. I started out writing this a bit more like a biography, but I'm changing it into more of a fictional story, and I like it much better that way. : )
Again, please Read and Review!
Chapter 9
Ichigo looked at his raven-haired friend on the opposite side of the classroom. He looked absolutely mortified, like he'd seen something directly out of a horror film or something. I wonder if that disorientated expression has anything to do with the lockdown?
The school was under a lockdown. There was a stir amongst the teachers, some screaming, and absurd rumors flying around due to the hysteria. The kids didn't know; they could only speculate and come up with something imaginative that might give cause for such extreme measures to be taken. It was probably just some moronic bomb threat from a kid that wanted to get out early, Ichigo hypothesized. Like that would happen.
He searched the room for his friends. Inoue sat in the back of the room, chattering away with Tatsuki about whatever girls chattered about. Every once in awhile, Inoue would erupt in a sort of brief manic laughter, which came out rather forced. She seems to be acting more like herself again. That's good. Sado sat nearer to the front of the room and to his right, seeming deep in thought. Mizuiro sat diagonal from him to the right. An empty desk sat just in front of him. Where is Keigo? All the kids were supposed to meet up in their home rooms for the lockdown.
Ichigo could see an outrageous amount of police cars and an ambulance outside from his view of the window. Just what the hell is going on? There was a rattle of the door knob as a key was inserted. The door began to open, and the principal—followed by two police officers—approached Sensei. The officers immediately closed and locked the door behind them, guarding against some unknown potential terrorist or door-repelling plague, or whatever this thing was all about. One of the officers whispered something to the teacher, whose face turned a ghostly pale as she gaped from the shock of whatever secrets the officer had revealed. Sensei turned toward the chalkboard, shaking violently, as though she were crying.
The principal approached the students at the front of the room, adjusting his tie in an obvious discomfort. His eyes immediately fell on Ishida, who seemed to be cowering in horror. A hush fell upon the fearful students, whose ears perked up with uncommon interest in the middle-aged man that stood before them; awaiting whatever news he was willing to share.
"I know a lot of you are curious as to why such extreme measures are being taken today. Many rumors have been circulating around the school about bomb threats, drug dogs, and many other plausible—and some, implausible—causes for the uproar. I regretfully inform you that, it is none of these things." The principal adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning the students' faces. "Today we have lost a cherished member of our community. Asano Keigo was a beloved friend, son, brother, and student here in Kurakura Town…"
Ichigo's body went stiff at the utterance of his friend's name. Keigo? As in, the kid that was just hassling me about hanging out, who I shrugged off like an annoying bug? He didn't believe, couldn't believe, that his friend was dead. It must be some other Keigo—some other name. It couldn't be him!
Something in him snapped, like a realization. Was this what my hollow meant when he spoke of being unable to sense when my friends were in danger? Was he talking about Keigo?
Ishida couldn't even look at Ichigo. He shook violently in both horror and disgust. I don't want to believe you did this, Kurosaki, but… He pounded his fist on his desk, cringing as the wrath within him built. You are the only one close enough, with the capability… Just knowing you are associated with the sick fuck that did this repulses me, Ichigo!
"Asano's death is still under investigation. There are no leads at this time, and investigators are baffled at the manner in which the victim was killed. Due to the graphic nature of the crime and, of course, the location, we are forcing the school into a lockdown in order to ensure the safety of the students and search for any possible weapons and/or suspects. Please be patient and remain calm."
Cherished member my ass. Why are people suddenly so cherished after they die? It's like all the awful things they do in life are dropped just so that people can reflect on their deaths. Inoue eyed Sado for the first time since her return, a bit curious as to his response to the news. He was visibly nervous, fearful of his classmate's cause of death. But he couldn't will himself to look at Inoue.
Keigo was killed. Did she tell someone? Was it Tatsuki? Rukia? …Ichigo? Sado turned to his friend, searching for any clues as to whether he might know about the incident or not. If she told someone, they would know… they would know about me, and what I did… But Ichigo's face reflected a similar, only deeper, shock and turmoil that every other student seemed to exhibit.
Who the hell killed Keigo? It has to have some connection to the other night. But… if it is connected, does that mean I'm next?
The principal kneeled before Ishida's desk, speaking quietly to the traumatized boy. "Thank you for alerting officials of what you saw. You've prevented other children from a great deal of trauma. We encourage you to seek out counseling. The school will provide it free of charge to all students, but you need a great deal more than we can give."
So… Ishida was the one that found him? That must be why he looks so shaken up.
But he has no idea how much that bastard deserved what was coming to him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Hey! Inoue!" Ichigo ran up behind the girl after the school's dismissal. She was on her way home, walking by herself. "Wait up!"
Orihime's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. She hadn't expected to hear Ichigo's voice behind her.
A mop of golden-orange hair came running towards her, panting as he caught up with the girl. "I forgot… to…" he panted, out of breath.
Inoue's large auburn eyes looked down upon the boy as he struggled to choke the words out. His face was pale; still probably sickened by what must have been terrifying news today.
"…apologize to you. For the other night. I'm… sorry for being a douche," he finished, nervously running his fingers through golden locks of hair.
She didn't know how to respond to him. She stood before him, absolutely dumbfounded at his unexpected apology, fighting back the tears that willed themselves to surface. "Thank you, Kurosaki-kun." You're a little late, though.
Ichigo kicked at the concrete, still saddened by the events of the day. "Would you like me to… walk you home?" he offered, his courtesy also belated, but still very much appreciated by the affectionate girl.
She smiled, patting the back of her head nervously and shrugging. "That would be nice."
The two walked in silence, side-by-side, for quite some time. The occasional car would whiz by, but, aside from that, the streets remained uninhabited. They were alone, probably for the first time in a long time. Tatsuki would say, "This is your chance! Now take him by force!" But this was not the time for passionate daydreams or declaring my love for him.
Ichigo was the first to break the silence. "Keigo was my best friend, you know?" She nodded, trying to be comforting but provoked by his bold statement. "I… I don't understand why anyone would do such a horrible thing to him. He wasn't perfect by any means, and he could be annoying, but he didn't deserve what happened to him." He sighed, pausing before he continued. "Keigo wouldn't hurt a fly. I heard that he was sliced in two, like a pear. It must have been horrifying for whoever stumbled upon him. Whoever killed him had no conscience, no soul. Almost like… a Hollow."
Inoue stopped, clenching her fists and unable to walk beside one who would make such a false testimony. Her knuckles were turning white from the pressure she exerted. "I think I can finish my walk from here. I'm not too far away."
Ichigo was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor and her want to walk alone. "Are you sure, Inoue?"
She grinned, gritting her teeth in an angry, forced smile. "Positive, Ichigo." She sneered as she uttered his first name for the first time, mocking their extensive use of last names despite their long friendship.
His eyes enlarged, alarmed by the resentment in her voice, and the disdain hidden in her use of his first name. What the hell is wrong with her? Did I say something?
"Okay. I'll… see you at school… whenever," he shouted at her back as she quickened pace. Ichigo noticed for the first time that, as she continued her hike down the street, there was a slight limp; a hobble to her walk.
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Please Read and Review! Might take me a few days to get Chapter 10 up with work and all, but I'll try! I MIGHT have it up by late Saturday. But I might also start working on Chapter 2 of "Zaraki In Love" so WWSYS might be put on a mighty hold. It just might. ;)
