Pairing: IchigoxBella
Fandom: Bleach and Twilight
Plot: Bella could feel herself switching affections. Slowly the thrill of a vampire existing began to fade. The new guy he was weird, hot, but weird. On the plus side, at least he didn't have a suicide complex. He was already dead.
Warnings: Major character death early on. Partly AU? If that's possible.
Plus, major major major major thanks to those that stumbled upon this fic and reviewed! Reviews make me super happy. *squee*
Disclaimer: I do not own the Bleach or Twilight fandom, or any of the characters they entail. They belong to their respective owners/creators.
A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed/alerted/favourited me and/or this story. It is very much appreciated as I love hearing your feedback. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but no flamers. They will be deleted without reply. Thanks again!
On The Plus Side
Chapter 8 - Present
–
'One more thing,' he leant closer to her and kissed her fully on the lips, smirking slightly when he heard a small 'tch' coming from Ichigo's direction. 'Happy Birthday Bella.'
The blood flew from Ichigo's face. The smell of a marked mate smothered the room and it twisted his stomach cruelly.
What is this ... ?
–
There was an unspoken pledge that was most certainly not over and done with. How could it be as Ichigo could feel the cloak of unknown ignorance was sliming its way up and over Bella's small form. It didn't take a thousand years of experience for Ichigo to figure out just what
was going on here.
The question was why. Why did this small girl from a little town in the back of beyond have any appeal whatsoever for these, or rather, this leech?
She wasn't exceptionally beautiful or smart. Bella was average, okay above average, but there must be something if she's drawing such attention to herself.
Ichigo could recall several people claiming that Bella was a magnet for trouble and was always in and out of the hospital for one thing or another. She even joked about it herself. Bit the only people not laughing were Charlie, the Cullens and Ichigo himself.
He may be the awkward type who doesn't really like, or know much about, the mind of a teenage girl - or women in general - but he knew something was up. And that can only mean trouble if he's the head of the police as well.
However, that also meant that Ichigo was under suspicion as well. Even Ichigo wasn't perfect and would sometimes talk to Charlie about things like he was much older than he appeared to be.
Which was obviously true, despite having the body of a twenty year old Ichigo was actually over seventy times that. Hell, even Carlise was like a baby in comparison. So Bella ...
Speaking of Bella - when did he not? - it was becoming glaringly obvious that their relationship wasn't simply as platonic as Ichigo would like to keep it. He had seen the way Bella looked at him all the time, much akin to the way she did Edward now that he was quickly reinstating himself as a permanent fixture in her life.
He knew it was more wrong than whatever the hell was going on with Edward, considering the major age jump between them. So for the life of him he tried to keep her at arms length the whole time.
But today was Bella's birthday party of all things. Which was a blessing and a curse in disguise for one anxious shinigami.
Oh. Yes, that's right. A shinigami, God of Death, if you will. Sure explains a lot, huh?
The insane age. The mental abilities - being slightly round the twist at times. Not that anyone was anywhere near close to figuring it out. Except one. Who was there when the Ichigo came to check up on an agreement after five hundred years of it being made official.
Ichigo had joined the cause in the final stages of the alliance, subsequently having to live among them as a trial run. Though his part in the whole thing was kept under lock and key from those who were not alive at the time, he had hated to be the higher up's puppet for their little 'social experiment', but what choice did someone at the bottom have?
Well, he wasn't exactly at the very bottom of the pile. He had the /mis/fortune to run headlong into Urahara Kisuke while the man was out surveying his surroundings. The man had been fascinated when Ichigo hadn't collapsed upon contact after the, then, young boy had explained
that he was starving.
Ichigo soul strength was abnormally high for someone not of noble heritage. It didn't matter that decades later he was found out to have been of something much greater, by then he had already established himself as magnificent Shinigami.
That was a story for another day, as long and gaoling as it was.
Edward then announced that Alice had planned a birthday party for Bella at the Cullen's home. It was actually quite odd to see Edward smile when he said, 'But of course Ichigo has to come too.'
Edward was still rather smug about knowing something Ichigo undoubtedly didn't. Bella had just never said anything, even when Charlie brought it up the subject was quickly dismissed. It was as if it was a date of great dread for her; something she would rather avoid.
Ichigo could understand. His own, if you could even call it a birthday was just another day to survive. Another day gone, relatively alone.
It was a very confusing day when he opened his eyes and couldn't control his body very well, like he couldn't even hold up his own head. He was cradled in the arms of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She kept talking about her 'special little boy'.
Ichigo could feel his whole body get passed along to a face he knew very well. He tried to open his mouth to ask what was going on, but all that came out was a gurgle. No words.
There was a recognition in those dark eyes, a weariness that spoke worlds to Ichigo. A silent apology. Old goat-face had come to Earth, chasing after 'his angel' like he said he would. There had been five years of no word from him at all, with Ichigo going about his usual duties and what not. But as always, Ichigo's heritage would always come back to bite him on the ass.
The bastard didn't have to drag Ichigo down with him though, did he? Ichigo had no care for women or anything other than his work. He didn't really understand why his father would give up everything for this one person in the World of the Living. Yet another selfish decision by his dear father.
As he was handed back to the woman he was now to know as his mother, he felt his eyes slip closed. Old memories from the past millennium slipping away. He had grown up none the wiser. For fifteen years he was Kurosaki Ichigo, son of Kurosaki Isshin and Masaki; who had sadly passed away when he was nine years old.
That's how he knew Bella's pain at loosing her mother. But Bella was stronger than he was. Though, admittedly, he was only a child at the time. Bella was grown up, she had even selflessly moved to a place she hated to give her mother more space with her new husband. Ichigo wished he had that option.
On the sixth anniversary of his mother's death, he had a proper conversation with his father for the first time in a long while.
'I thought you quit a thousand years ago.' Ichigo said conversationally when he saw his father holding a lit cigarette.
'Your mother told me I looked cool holding one, it was the first and only compliment she ever gave me on my looks.' He flicked the butt away. 'How long did it take?'
'Couple of hours. One too many hits to the head. I also got a visit from a very close friend.' He turned so they were face to face. 'Thanks, Dad.'
Isshin raised a brow, 'For what? Disrupting your boring life as a captain?'
'Yeah.' Looking to his mother's grave fondly. 'And for letting me have a mother.'
–
The Cullen's home was impressive to say the least. Ichigo supposed it was all the wealth Carlise had accumulated from his duty as a doctor.
Carlise Cullen. How a saint of a man had become a thing of evil was beyond Ichigo's understanding. Carlise had hated what he had become, trained himself to not feel blood lust. He was one amazing doctor.
Ichigo also assumed that this was Edward's way of saying 'Make a wrong move and you're dead.' Oh how true that was but he wasn't about to start anything unless Edward made the first move. It was only gentleman-like for your opponent to have the first strike.
He could sense he was unwelcome the second they pulled up in front of the house. Ichigo had politely requested the front passenger seat.
Edward forced himself to act like Ichigo was unaware, got out of the car at average human speed. Ichigo smirked so it looked like he was bothering the guy to no end.
The others were just as welcoming. He was sure that Esme was the only one to give him a genuine smile. Ichigo faintly remembered Carlise expressing the desire to have a partner. He had smiled sadly and avoided talking about his past experiences. They never ended well.
Carlise wasn't present to greet them, being the town's best doctor had it's set backs. He was to join them later. Ichigo supposed it was better off that way. Let Bella enjoy a time of happiness before the world started to look sideways.
Alice, as Ichigo had been told, loved to go over the top with her planning. He was actually surprised tat she could fit in so much glitter around the place.
'You are very talented. I never knew they sold this much glitter at one time.'
She still looked suspicious, though understandably confused. It wasn't nice to not be able to see someone's thoughts. She gave a pointed look at Edward. Ichigo pretended he didn't notice. He pretended he didn't notice a lot of things. He wanted to keep his business private as possible, as even he wasn't sure how Bella would react.
She seemed to accept the vampires easily enough. Jacob and the wolves would be just as readily accepted. But would she accept a dead person? Who knew.
'Happy Birthday, Bella!' Alice pulled Bella from Edward's side over to the small pile of presents, 'I know you'll love them, I've seen it.' Ichigo had read up on all of their info, but was still impressed to see it in person. She could just as easily pass it off as being incredibly insightful, or women's intuition.
No, the one that he was most interested in was Jasper. A second in command of a newborn army with the ability to control people's emotions. He was quite new to this 'vegetarian diet' thing they had going on here. Ichigo could see how he was trying to calm himself and hold back from ripping Bella's throat out. A ghastly thought, he would admit.
Carlise entered as Bella opened her first gift. Ichigo didn't see what. He was more entertained watching the different emotions flash across Carlise's face. Edward noticed this, his suspicious eyes darting back and for between the two.
One by one the rest caught on to this little staring contest. Bella looked up from her gift to see it too.
'This is Ichigo Kurosaki,' Esme said to break the tense silence, 'He's -'
'The exchange student I've been hearing so much about.' Carlise stepped forward to shake Ichigo's hand. The force of which would be enough to crush any human hand. 'So how did you come to choose Forks.'
'Oh, I didn't/ I just go where I'm told to investigate.' He paused, debating whether he should take it further or not. 'But I knew Forks was special as soon as I got here.'
They shared a tense laugh. Edward certainly did not find it amusing.
'Enough of this foolishness. Why are you really here, Kurosaki. If that is your real name.'
Ichigo sighed. It was exactly an attack, but he knew he should take this as his challenge. He looked at Carlise, his face expressionless now, his previous thoughts confirmed but the sudden darkness of Ichigo's demeanour.
Bella … Bella was Bella. Unreadable. He supposed he would soon find out whether or not Bella was willing to accept that the dead really do walk among us.
AN: Forgive me! I am not worthy of the attention of those who cling on in hope that I will get chapters out earlier than I do. So this chapter is dedicated to all of YOU.
FlamingOrangeRose -x