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. It sure has been a long time, but even though I could say sorry for not updating this, or my many other stories, I can not help it if life in the real world ie. Outside of became more important.
However, a reviewer gave me the kick I need to get this out. I will apologise for the length as I had a really hard time finding the inspiration for this. Kirsten Stewart ruined Twilight for me.
On The Plus Side
Chapter 9
–
'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.
–
'While I don't appreciate your tone, Edward-san, if it will put your mind at ease, then I will explain.' Ichigo briefly looked at Bella, he didn't care for the vampire's reactions. Just hers, as this was the ill-timed make or break moment. 'I suppose your not about to allow me to speak with Bella in private, so I'll just come out with it.'
He paused, drawing it out just long enough. Just because he was about to comply with his demands didn't mean he wasn't going to make the vampire suffer a little first.
'Bella,' He addressed her and her only, even though the rest of them were still there. 'Just like your, friends, here I am not entirely human. I never was and never will be. Technically, you could say I was never alive to be a human. I was also the reason why you have not seen Edward-san until today.'
He stopped, waiting a moment for the obvious questions to arise, from Bella or the leeches. He wasn't surprised that Edward's prissy voice was the first to assault his ears, his eyes still fixed on Bella and Bella's expressions.
'That doesn't explain anything! What are you!'
'Come now, Edward. Let Ichigo explain further.' Ah, Carlise, ever the voice of reason.
'I have a question,' Bella's voice wasn't shaken or broken like he had expected. Well he hadn't really expected anything to be perfectly honest. If there was one thing that he had learn about being around Bella was to never expect anything. You were always better off that way, even if he could read her mind, which was no small task. 'Why didn't you tell me? Does Charlie know?'
'Ah, how to say this. And before you say it, no, it was not 'For your own protection', I know you hate that.' He quickly added that in, it was true but after hearing her thoughts about her first finding out about Edward's disease and his explanation that he just wanted to 'Keep her safe' and all that bullshit. He also added a pointed mocking look at Edward. Just for good measure.
'It just wasn't, uh, essential for you to know. After I finished up what I came here to do I would be on my way and you'd never remember me being here.'
'What? Why would I forget about you? You've been so amazing to me and to Charlie. Even Jacob likes you, and Jacob doesn't like any of my friends – Wait, do you -?'
'Yeah, I know all about Jacob and the rest of the pack. But that's not the point -!'
'No, it's not. You've yet to reveal your identity, Kurosaki!' Edward's voice was going to reach dog/wolf/Ichigo natural hearing soon, so the soul reaper decided to spill before they had an infiltration of all the town's dogs and other sound-adept creatures.
'Okay! Hello, I am Ichigo Kurosaki, a Soul Reaper and Captain of Squad 5 of the Gotei 13 of the Soul Society. I have been at that post for little over two thousand years. I just turned 2,351 years old this year.' He took in their horrified expressions, 'It's very nice to meet you.'
As expected, he had the looks of confusion and horror, but he wasn't concerned with the leeches for the moment. He wouldn't say anything before Bella did. Even if he could read her mind, it was still difficult to predict where her thoughts were going. She didn't think like the 'average' human. And, in comparison, Edward was practically a baby to him. His powers didn't have the maturity levels that Ichigo's had. Ah, the perks of being around for over two millennia.
'So … So you're, what - ?'
'Yeah, just under 20 times older than Edward.' He smiled smugly at Edward when Bella, nodded a little. Trying to take it all in. Ichigo caught his thought trail when it started heading towards very dangerous territory.
Why does everything have to be a competition with this Cold One, Ichigo?
I – I don't know. I don't know Zangetsu-ossan.
You will have to reign the urge in, Ichigo.
I know. I don't have time to deal with him at the moment.
Carlise watched intently as Ichigo's eyes flickered slightly. He was sure that he was the only one who had noticed it. But then again, he was the only one who had known Ichigo long before this day. He had observed the Soul Reaper's action over an age, never fully comprehending the world the man came from.
It had been during his stay with the Volturi that he first came across the fascinating being that was Ichigo. He talked to the Volturi as equals, and on times less than that. He would often chastise their decisions regarding the humans, often looking upon the members with unbridled disgust.
That was where Carlise found his first real ally in his fight to stay off drinking human blood. Ichigo had told him that his cause was just and admirable, which was a very rare thing coming from the mysterious observer.
Though, past opinions aside, there was something very dark and very cold about the Ichigo Kurosaki that stood before him now. Something had happened to manifest an aura of barely restrained rage. If they weren't careful, they were going to have a very bad situation on their hands.
'Wow, um, okay.'
This was the reason why Ichigo found Bella completely enthralling to be around. She just found out that she had lived under the same roof as something that couldn't possibly exist, and she was okay with that.
'Okay?' Ichigo asked, dead-panned. 'You're fine with that? If I was actually alive, I – '
'But you're not, are you?' Again with the obnoxious interludes. Edward really needed to work on that. 'You know nothing of what it's like to live and breathe as a human being.'
'It's been a very long time since you have ever breathed in fresh air, Edward. But do you see me judging you?' Ichigo couldn't hold himself back from stepping closer to Edward, not noticing he moved right between Bella and the leech.
'Guys, please!' Bella leaped between them, holding out her arms. 'What's gotten into you two? You just need to cool off or something.'
Edward's eyes had never once left Ichigo. It was eerie, like a lion watching a deemed threat to it's pride. Waiting for the best moment to strike, or defend if the threat became hostile.
Though no one could have predicted the chaos that was to ensue. And all it took was a careless opening of a carefully wrapped present and a room full of vampires.