*Sniffs* I'm a bit sad about the latest chapter of Bleach, when Ichi lost his powers. But I hope it's not for good, though!
Berry Angel by Boogermeister
56- Bee (For Persistence, for giving me the idea while reading her fic 'Orange Beauty')
Starrk snored softly as he was sleeping on a park bench, his long legs splayed forward and his head hung back with his mouth slightly opened. All the while, Tensa was busy playing on the playground, oblivious to the constant stares that was on his step-father. "Who can sleep in that position . . . .?" mumbled one young mother.
"He looks dead," a kid muttered before the second mother hushed him.
"Go play, don't stare at the man."
Suddenly, a small bee buzzed over them before it decided to land perfectly onto the tip of Starrk's nose. Both the mothers and their children stared in amazement yet scared that the bug would sting him in his sleep. ". . . . Should we wake him up?" the first mother spoke anxiously.
"No, the bee would sting him if we move him," frowned the second one.
"I wanna see that!" the young boy smiled in eagerness.
"Don't say that," she scolded.
". . . ." Starrk sighed deeply through his nose, causing the bee to fly away. He subconsciously rubbed at his face before going back to sleep. The mothers sighed in relief though the boy pouted in defeat, the little danger was gone.
57- Sister 2
"Rukia!" Tensa smiled as he pulled the petite Soul Reaper into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"All right, all right, you're crushing me!" Rukia smiled, playfully bopping the teen on the head. Tensa grinned as he put her down, he had always liked her since the time when he first met her as a baby. His mother told him that he forced her to clap with him, that was his way of accepting the new stranger. "Man, you're really big," smiled Rukia, staring up and down at him. "I really missed the days when you were just up to my waist."
"Well, drinking a lot of milk can do that to you," he joked.
"Shut up, where's that idiot you call your mother?" she laughed lightly as they walked into the apartment, Ichigo heard that from the kitchen and scowled.
"Who's the idiot?" he scoffed with a small smile as he walked up to her. "Hey there, Rukia . . . . still the Vice-Captain back at the Soul Society?"
"Yeah, I'm not the same unseated nobody that you used to know," she shrugged.
"You're never a nobody, not to Tensa's eyes," he smiled.
"Rukia, there's something I wanna tell you," pestered Tensa, his body shivered in anticipation. "Guess what I'm doing now . . . ."
"Uh . . . . you're skipping two grades!" she smiled. But the teen shook his head before glancing at his mother. Ichigo's eyes softened at the upcoming news and nodded his approval.
"Well . . . . Mom's finally letting me to be like you . . . . a Soul Reaper," he finally admitted. Rukia blinked in total surprise and her jaw dropped.
". . . . Really?" she questioned.
"Yes . . . . my zanpaku-tou said that it was my time now, and she's not kidding," he nodded. "When I told Mom about it, he simply accepted it. There's no going back."
"Ichigo . . . .? You're really permitting Tensa to become a true Soul Reaper?" she asked, glancing at Ichigo with concern. But the man simply nodded and shrugged.
"It's not that I'm not happy about it, but I knew that he'll start sooner than expected," he muttered.
"Geez, and I thought I was just coming by for a visit," she sighed deeply.
"Well, I'm glad I told you, Rukia," smiled Tensa. "You're the one that I could easily trust with my decision."
". . . . What do you mean by that, Tensa?" asked Rukia.
"Because I always care about you . . . . almost like a sister," he muttered sheepishly. Rukia blinked at that but smiled softly, grasping at his hand and patted on it.
"I am still sorry for the loss of your true sister, but I appreciate it," she smiled. "Guess that explains all those times when you ran to greet me and not Renji."
"Nobody likes Renji," Ichigo scoffed jokingly.
"Bet he's gonna nag at me like he did with you, Mom," smirked Tensa.
"But he's nothing but an idiot."
58- Hate
Ichigo sniffled as he rubbed at his swollen stomach, he was lying on his side on the white bed within the prison cell that was called his bedroom. He felt the child kick dully, and more tears flowed down. "Why . . . .?" he mumbled weakly. "Why must you make me like this? You're his child, and yet . . . . I cannot hate you because of him."
He felt the movement again, he was near the end of the pregnancy and soon he will be cut open for the 'heir' to be born. "It's not your fault . . . . it's not your fault that you're going to be born into this hell," he mumbled, rubbing at his stomach again. "It's that devil's fault, he stole away my freedom and he'll do the same with you. But . . . . what can I do about it? How can I protect you from your own father?"
He shifted his body gently to his back and stared wearily at the ceiling. "I'll try . . . ." he muttered softly, the last of the tears fell as he closed his eyes. "I'll try to love you as much as I can, so he wouldn't take you away from me . . . . I promise, because you're a part of me . . . ."
Tensa peeked into his mother bedroom when he was napping, the young teen stepped in to realize that moist tears were seeping under his closed eyes. He frowned sadly as he walked up to the bed and gingerly climbed onto the mattress. "Mom . . . ." he muttered softly, snuggling against him. "Don't cry, I'm here . . . ."
Ichigo's breathing shifted as he slowly opened his eyes, he felt the tears as he glanced down at Tensa. He let out a soft smile as he wrapped an arm around him and kissed at the silky chestnut hair. "I love you so much, Tensa . . . ." he whispered.
"I love you, too, Mom," muttered Tensa. "You don't hafta cry while I'm around."
"Sorry . . . ."
"It's all right . . . ."
59- Breakfast
"Starrk . . . . Starrk," the five year old muttered, poking at the snoring man. "Starrk, I'm hungry . . . ."
"Hm . . . .?" he mumbled tiredly as he opened his eyes. ". . . . What is it?"
"I'm hungry, Starrk," Tensa muttered.
"Then why didn't you wake your mother up?" he asked softly, yawning as he sat up from the couch.
"He's sleeping because the school made him tired."
". . . . Guess that explains it," he sighed. "I don't know how to make food for you, though."
"I know how to make cereal," he replied.
"All right, then make it . . . ." sighed Starrk, within seconds he fell back asleep. Tensa simply blinked as he shrugged and trotted into the kitchen.
Moments later . . . .
". . . . At least the mess is lighter this time," Ichigo frowned tiredly, staring down at the small puddles of milk on the table then the scattered cereal flakes on the floor. "You didn't try to wake me up, Tensa?"
"I thought that you would be still sleepy from school, Mama," he pouted.
"Don't worry about that," he sighed. "I'm working hard to become a doctor like Grandpa, remember?"
"Yeah . . . ."
"Now, go beat up Starrk for me because he didn't help you with your breakfast," he smirked. "I'll be here cleaning up the mess."
"Okay, Mama . . . ." he nodded before running off, his mother smirking as he heard a soft punch and a tired grumble.
60- Shave
"You ever try shaving that goatee, Starrk?" asked Ichigo, out of the blue as they were getting dressed in their bedroom. Starrk paused buttoning his shirt and stared in actual surprise at his lover.
". . . . What makes you say that?" he asked.
"I dunno, Dad always have that five o'clock shadow but he rarely shaves," he shrugged. "I just . . . . kinda wonder how you'd look like without the goatee." Much to Ichigo's own surprise, Starrk frowned at him and turned away.
"I won't do it, so why would I bother?" he frowned, leaving the room. Ichigo blinked and frowned in confusion, he was just curious so why Starrk acted defensive over facial hair?
"'I won't do, so why would I bother . . . .?', how stupid . . . ." he mumbled as he left the room for the bathroom. Looking for the brush, he caught a glance at a shaving razor on the counter. He immediately smirked, an idea came to him as he picked it up. "Starrk, can you come here for a second?" he called out. A while later, the former Primera walked in and blinked.
"What is it, Ichigo?" he muttered, only for his eyes to widen when he saw the razor. "Ichigo . . . ." he growled lowly as he stepped away.
"Come on, it's just a patch on your chin," he smirked. "Just one swipe and it's done."
"No way," he frowned.
"Yes way." Instantly, Starrk jolted off as he flew down the stairs but Ichigo quickly followed. Tensa, who was eating toast in the kitchen, suddenly heard the commotion just before his step-father rushed into the room.
"What the-" he startled just as Starrk quickly hid behind him, away from Ichigo.
"Get that away from me," Starrk gritted, glaring at the smirking man who was acting innocent despite the razor.
"Aw, the razor won't hurt you, Starrk," he smirked. "It's not like you won't be different without the goatee."
"Then put that thing away," he growled, cowering behind the bewildered pre-teen.
"No," he replied as he stepped closer.
"Do it."
"No." Another step.
"I'll throw Tensa at you."
"What?" Tensa gasped sharply.
"So?" Ichigo stepped closer once more. In an instant, Starrk crossed him as the other man made the first move, tossing Tensa at his mother in the process.
"You won't take me down . . . .!" he gritted, rushing quickly out of the room then out of the house. Ichigo laughed softly to himself while Tensa scowled in absolute confusion.
"Can someone tell me why Starrk acted like he snorted some crazy drug?" he scoffed.
"It's nothing, Tensa, I just wanted to mess with him," he smirked.
"Over facial hair?" he questioned.
"Aw, he's just a little sensitive about it . . . ."
61- Scarred for Life
Again and again, Tensa buried his head with his pillow. "Damn it, again . . . .?" he groaned in disgust. Even through the closed doors, he could hear his mother and step-father going at it as they always did a few nights a week. Mainly Ichigo, who barely retained his loud moaning and whimpering.
"S-Starrk, don't stop . . . .! Keep doing that . . . .!"
"Argh, I can't take it anymore . . . .!" groaned the teen, tossing the pillow away. He got off the bed and stormed out of the room. "Hey! Quit doing that, I can't sleep with all those nasty noises anymore!" he shouted, banging on the locked bedroom door. The moaning abruptly halted, followed by a discouraged groan. "Man, was it that hard, you perverts . . . .?" he scoffed tiredly before storming back to his room.
". . . . Told you that he'd complain, but did you listen?" Ichigo scowled with an embarrassed blush across his face. Starrk simply stared at him before shrugging.
"You like it anyway . . . ." he sighed. "Unless you want to be gagged."
"That's it, I'm not in the mood anymore," he frowned.
"You're lying . . . ."
". . . . Damn it, you're right."
62- Scarred for Life Again
Tensa grumbled softly as he rubbed his eyes and got off his bed, last night was the worst. He barely managed to sleep without the grostesque images threatened to pop up in his mind. Ichigo and Starrk rutting around like rabbits in heat . . . . ". . . . Ugh!" he shivered in repulsion. "Disgusting, the both of them . . . ." Searching for his towel, he found it and opened his door.
Just as he did that, his parents' door opened. Starrk, with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, tiredly staggered out. ". . . . Hey there, Tensa . . . ." he mumbled. But Tensa said nothing, as he noticed one major thing on his step-father.
He was bare naked.
"Um, Starrk . . . ." he muttered through gritted teeth, glaring away.
"Hm?"
"You're not wearing pants," he scoffed lowly. Starrk blinked before the sleep spell finally went away, and glanced down.
"Oh . . . . sorry about that, that and about last night," he muttered softly.
"Whatever," he frowned, storming into the bathroom. Starrk sighed tiredly as he went back inside, Ichigo was still sleeping as he climbed back onto the bed.
". . . . He's mad at us," he sighed, lighting up his cigarette and inhaled.
". . . . Maybe me, but not you," mumbled Ichigo, slowly waking up. Starrk shrugged as he patted him lightly on the hips. "Don't worry . . . . we'll try your suggestion next time."
"Kinky," Starrk smiled a little, earning a light smack at the arm.
63- First Year Anniversary
"Are you nervous, Ichigo?" smiled Orihime.
". . . . About what?" Ichigo frowned a little, when he was invited to lunch with his friends.
"Since you're often forgetful, Orihime's trying to say that it's almost a year since you took that Arrancar Starrk as your lover," sighed Uryuu. Ichigo frowned, he really did forget. How can he, the time they had officially became a couple was a week before Tensa's birthday.
"Well I was thinking about Tensa's birthday, but . . . ." he sighed. "What to do with Starrk? What kinda gifts to give each other?"
". . . . Paper?" Orihime shrugged.
"They're not married," muttered Chad. "But I don't think the guy would mind of what he's getting, so don't worry about it."
"Well now I am," frowned Ichigo. "It's in two days so I don't know what to give him with a personality like his." That much was true, all he does is smoking and sleeping. And in between, sleeping with him. Then what to give him, a blanket and an ashtray?
"Maybe you could give him something that relates to his days as an Arrancar, Ichigo," Uryuu suggested. "I know he regained a human soul for all these years, but I don't really think that he wants to forget it completely."
"That's true, his dog's still have the last of his Hollow part," Orihime agreed.
"I'm not sure if that's helping," he sighed deeply, scratching at his hair. Why would he give a present that would make Starrk think about his Arrancar days? What is there that is missing? "Oh . . . ."
"What is it, Ichigo?" she asked.
"Well . . . . guess I could figure out something," he sighed. But in his mind, he hoped that he doesn't regret it. Finally, on the day of the anniversary, he stopped in front of the tattoo shop after leaving school. "Okay, I can do this . . . ." he sighed deeply, stepping inside.
A few hours later . . . .
Ichigo winced as he came home, his hand rubbing at his left hip as he walked into the living room. ". . . . Starrk," he muttered, when he saw him dozing on the couch. "Wake up, there's something I need to tell you."
"Huh . . . .?" Starrk mumbled as he opened his eyes. "You're home late."
"Because I was getting a gift for you, Starrk," he muttered.
"A gift . . . .?"
"Yes, today's the day that we became lovers," he nodded. Starrk blinked and sighed deeply.
"I knew that . . . . so what did you get me?" he asked.
"Okay . . . . don't get mad because it's permanent," he muttered shyly, lifting his shirt then pushing down the edge of his pants. The former Primera blinked in surprise and sat up as he stared at the tattoo on his lover's left hip, a small gothic-style '1' was still fresh over the red skin.
"Ichigo . . . .?" he frowned, and Ichigo's face tensed.
"You don't like it?" he questioned sadly.
"No . . . ." he muttered as he reached for his waist and pulled him closer. "I love it, Ichigo."
"R-really?" muttered Ichigo as a light blush appeared at his face.
"Number one, that was I once was when I was an Espada," he muttered softly, gingerly licking at the fresh ink. "It's perfect on you . . . . this officially made us a couple."
"So . . . . where's my gift, Starrk?" he asked quietly.
"Hmm . . . . It was just dinner, but after seeing this . . . ." he muttered, growling softly as he licked at the tattoo again. "Now there's something else in mind."
"You pervert . . . .!" he smiled.
"We're lucky that Tensa's staying over at your father's tonight," he sighed with a small smirk. "You don't have to hold back . . . . I want to make you scream."
"Oh man . . . ." Ichigo laughed quietly.
Happy anniversary.
64- Heartful Birthday
Starrk felt different as he suddenly woke up one winter morning, and he felt different than before. But what was it? His body felt heavy like lead as he tried to sit up. "Ugh . . . ." he groaned softly. He scratched at his chest when he suddenly realized it. A hearbeat thudding softly inside him. He frowned in confusion but he then remembered; the gigai he was in was made to eat away his Hollow reiatsu. From what he was told, his konpaku will be converted into that of a human soul.
In other words, he was becoming a full human now he has a heart. ". . . . Hey Starrk, you're finally awake?" muttered Ichigo as he opened the closet door, as he was putting away the thick bedsheets in the bottom shelf.
"Yeah . . . ." mumbled Starrk as he climbed out. "Is it still cold out there?"
"It's the middle of January, what do you think?" shrugged the teen before leaving the room, and the former Primera followed. He was still scratching at his chest when they went downstairs, having a heart was so surreal to him. In his former life, it was just a hole in his chest like most other Hollows had. But even then, he had an almost human-like emotions, mainly from being lonely. So maybe that was it, he had a heart now because he wasn't lonely anymore.
Aside from Lilynette, he appreciated being around Tensa and Ichigo and his family. "Ah, Th-arrk!" smiled Tensa when he entered the kitchen, the two year old trotted up to him to hug at his leg.
"Hey there . . . ." he sighed tiredly, patting at his head.
"You ever notice that . . . . this guy's with us for over a year but we don't know his birthday," Karin muttered in realization.
"Huh, I don't think we bother to ask Starrk about that," Ichigo frowned a little before turning to him. "Do you even have a birthday, Starrk?"
". . . . Actually, I'm not sure what exact day that I was reborn as an Arrancar, since I can't really remember much before then," muttered Starrk.
"Then . . . . what should be his birthday?" asked Yuzu. "Are there any day that were special to him?"
"No, there's nothing . . . ." Starrk glanced down at Tensa, who smiled at him, and sighed lightly. "Can it be today then?"
"Huh?" Ichigo frowned.
"I don't mind if today could be my birthday," he shrugged.
"Really . . . .?" he sighed deeply. "If that's what you want-"
"What was that? Do I hear birthday?" Isshin exclaimed suddenly, rushing into the kitchen from the clinic. "Is someone having a birthday party?"
"No, and shut up!" Karin scowled, chucking a cereal bowl at his face.
"Guess that's okay," sighed Ichigo, scratching at his shaggy hair.
"About a party?" Starrk frowned slightly.
"No, today's being your new birthday," he replied. "January 15, that'll be your day."
"But what would be his age?" asked Yuzu in interest. That was a good question, Ichigo glanced at the brunet and blinked.
"Maybe . . . . 24, 25?" he mumbled.
"Okay, today's my birthday and I'm 24 years old," Starrk nodded in agreement.
"Yeeh . . . ." giggled Tensa.
"So, what do you wanna do on your birthday, Starrk?" Ichigo asked. The former Primera glanced away in ponder and sighed.
"I dunno . . . . sleep?"
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Next Chapter, I'll write a mostly Halloween-themed drabbles! Yays! But I won't update 'Wolf's Love for Moon' anytime soon cuz I'm going to an Anime convention for the weekend, bummer.
Read and review.
I'll update ASAP!
