" Ichigo." She pulled away from him, stepping back a few paces. " Whats wrong? Why are you acting this way?"
He stood there silently. His eyes were rimmed in red, the deep shadowy bags under them indicating he hadn't slept good in a while. His tears sent dirty tracks down his cheeks.
He lifted a hand to his face, shielding it from her large eyes. He turned away, stretching out his hand behind him.
" Give me your cellphone. Now."
" Ichigo- why do you-"
" I said give it. Now!" He turned on her, eyes glowing with hatred and anger. " Rukia, those bastards need to be tracked down and killed. Can't you see that!" he yelled. He lunged at her, but was intercepted by a arm held out in his way.
" What the hell is wrong with you," Renji said coldly. Red eyes met amber as he tightened his hold on his wrist. " You do not approach Rukia like that, no matter how pissed you are . Now answer her question please. I would like to know too."
He let go, and Ichigo stumbled back, rubbing his wrist.
" They killed my sisters. I know it. " His face tightened with fury.
" Ichigo..." They both stared at him, eyes wide in shock. That statement was unexpected. Rukia stepped forward, hand trembling. " Ichigo, I..."
" Stop." With a snap of his wrist, his hand was clamped over her mouth. He could feel her lips, soft and moist, under his palm.
She tried to say something, but it came out muffled. He took off his hand.
Her speech came out in a blur." Ichigo, I'm so sorry, why didn't you just say so-"
" All I want is to avenge their deaths, " he interupted calmly, as though he was saying, ' All I want is to put the pickles on the side, not on the sandwich.'
" Now, " he continued, voice toneless, " do you have any clue who they are, or where they are?"
She shook her head, fear glinting in her usually stony eyes.
Ichigo turned around. " Then I have no reason to talk to you," he dismissed callously.
" What? How can you just shove me off like that!" Rukia exclaimed.
He acted as though he had never heard her. " I have to get back to class. The teacher will be waiting. "
Renji ran in front of him, just as he began to walk away. " Where do you think you're going! You haven't even explained half of it to us!"
" I've explained enough." Surprising both of them, his next step jumped in the air, and he flash stepped away, leaving Rukia and Renji in the dust.
Thunder rumbled from the distant horizon, just as rain began to fall from the sky. It seemed as though the clouds were weeping, shedding tears of regret.
Renji swore, while Rukia stared at the ground where he used to stand.
" Ichigo..."
Ichigo's classes went on as they usually did. First, a math lesson with complex equations that he could never figure out in his wildest dreams, geography, language arts, and science.
He barely listened, only tuning in when the teachers voice reached his ears, through the mass turmoil thoughts in his head. During the whole morning, Orihime twitched in her seat, sending him brief sideways glances from under her bangs. He didn't dare to look her in the eye.
Finally, the blessed bell cried it's call, and Ichigo rose out of his seat, almost running to the door.
" Ichigo, come here."
He whistled out a low sigh through his lips, turning around to face the teacher.
She crossed the classroom to him, fingers twisting at her sides.
" I offer my condolences, " she said shortly. " Also, I've scheduled for you to meet with our new counseler during lunch today. " She looked up at him hesitantlly. " Is that okay? It was the only time available, but I might be able to find some time next week-"
He shook his head. " That should be fine."
She gave him a relived smile, pushing up her glasses on her nose. " Great! Her office is the last room down the hall on the left!"
" Alright." Ichigo strode out of the room, hands in his pockets. His foot longingly stepped to the right, in the direction of the smell of food, but he shook his head, following his teachers directions and going to the left.
As he started down the hall, he couldn't help but send a lingering glance to the window.
They were gone. He scoffed. He should have expected that.
His thoughts began to wander to what the teacher had said. New counsler? What had happened to the old one?
His feet finally reached the door, and he hovered there, contemplating whether he should knock of not.
" Come in." A low voice startled him. How had they known he was there?
He placed a sweaty palm on the doorknob, slowly turning it.
The door creaked open, revealing a deep brown desk. A woman sat at it, eyes never straying from the papers that sat there.
She wore a crisp white shirt over a black pleated skirt. She had golden hair, cropped short. It contrasted greatly with her rich brown skin.
She looked up at him. Her eyes were gray, lined in green. She cleared her throat.
" My name is Tia Harribel. Please sit down."