Chap XIII – Sleepless Nights and Revelations.
First things first. I am so very sorry for the wait. I really am. I had exams, I went on holiday, then I got Crisis Core (omg, legend game, I challenge you not to cry at the Zack and Aerith scenes, not to mention the end of the game… sob) and Super Smash Bros Brawl came out last Friday, I've been university shopping, and God knows what else. Again, I'm so sorry! Oh, and I had writers block, but I've also planned out most of An Untouchable Enemy (that Szayel and Ishida fic I started about 8 months ago – yes I will complete it! Some day… :() And I'm half way through a short IshidaXHisagi fic :D cos that pairing doesn't get enough love.
Anyway, on with the fic! Unlucky XIII or what? Goddamn Writer's Block! Lolz.
"Hmm… that was only ten minutes Kurosaki-san. Your all too frequent toilet breaks are getting quicker! Does this mean you are finally gaining control over your own bladder?!" the teacher cheerfully brought the class' attention to Ichigo, who was trying (and failing) to slip back into the class room unnoticed.
Ichigo scratched the back of is head, mumbling an apology as he sat down.
At the start of lunch, (his break taken up by apologising profusely to Miss Ochi) Keigo came bounding over.
"Ichigo! Guess what?"
"…You bought a brain off eBay?"
"…No. My parents are away this weekend, so party at my place, Saturday. You gotta come."
Ichigo looked doubtful, but sighed, knowing Keigo wouldn't drop it until he said he was coming. "Fine, I suppose I could pop along for a couple of hours. Is it just us lot?"
The rest of the group shifted uncomfortably, realising Ichigo wasn't there for Keigo's declaration earlier.
"Well, mainly, but I put up flyers all round school – so a few others might turn up." Keigo grinned, as Ichigo looked horrified.
"Flyers round school for an unsupervised house party? Keigo, forget a "a few others" the whole damn school is going to turn up – with most of their friends and relatives from other schools – the whole of Karakura is going to be trashing your parents house!!"
Keigo was unfazed. "It won't be that bad – I said people have to bring their own alcohol, so there's no reason to trash the house. And random people mean random, hot, older chicks to hit on! And, if all else fails, you'll be there to keep the peace! Hey, Ichigo, Chad, you'll help a friend in need, yes?" He added, with his impression of an innocent, heart winning, "how could you not help me out" face. Ichigo just punched him squarely in it.
"You're not inviting me and Chad; you're hiring us as bouncers – with no pay. So the answer is no." he seethed.
Keigo looked insulted at the insinuation, but then suddenly brightened. Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "So you'll do it if I pay you? How does booze I nick off the guests sound! Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you!" With that he bounded off, not giving Ichigo a chance to correct him.
Ichigo sighed, rubbing his temples. "How do I get myself into these messes? No – why does everything Keigo do end up with us in a mess!?"
"Oh, come on Kurosaki-kun! It can't be that bad! It'll be fun. You'll be there – and no one picks fights with you and Chad around!" Orihime added brightly.
Ichigo didn't have the heart to tell her it was usually because he and Chad were around that people picked fights in the first place. "Anyway, it looks like we're going – if for nothing else to make sure Keigo doesn't get gagged and turned into some Yakuza's kinky love slave." He growled, Chad patting his shoulder to show his support. As much as they knew Keigo asked for it, they couldn't let him just get pimped, could they?
"Yeah! If anyone tries anything, you and Chad will just rush in and save him! Like a prince saving the princess!" Orihime giggled, as Chad and Ichigo looked horrified at the mental image of an Ichigo in tights bursting in on a big hairy Yakuza boss about to rape a pink, fluffy, frilly dressed Keigo.
Ishida was just glad at the distraction. He had frozen at the mention of 'kinky love slave', and as the memories of his nights with the Hollow rushed out of the box within his mind that he thought he'd locked them in, he'd started to shake slightly. Taking advantage of the reaction caused by Orihime's comment, he slipped off, breaking into a run as he neared the toilets.
He rushed in, almost knocking the door of it's hinges, and thanked whichever God was sick enough to be watching his fate right now that it was empty. He slammed the door shut, and pushed a nearby bin against it, stopping anyone else from coming in.
Panting furiously, he steadied himself against the sink, staring at the plug hole. By now he was shaking violently. He gritted his teeth and furiously ordered the shaking to stop. Bit by bit his breathing slowed, and he realised he'd have to learn to deal with sudden memories of the Hollow's… escapades, if he wanted to keep it a secret – and more importantly, if he wanted to keep Inoue safe. He was sure that somewhere inside Kurosaki's head, the Hollow was laughing at him right now.
After a few more minutes, he wiped the sweat from his face, straightened his tie and returned to the group on the roof – who seemingly hadn't even noticed his absence due to Keigo coming back and asking Ichigo for advice on the party, and promising the get him 'hooked up' as payment.
Ichigo was now chasing Keigo round the roof, as Keigo grinned and shouted out what he thought Ichigo's 'type' was.
Ishida sighed. "Why does the world still function as usual?"
"What was that Ishida-kun?" Orihime asked gently.
"Oh, nothing, Inoue-san. Nothing at all."
Six hours passed. Ishida had gone home, made a simple rice dish for himself, picked up some odds and ends from the local shop and was now finishing off his homework. He looked up – the clock read just past seven pm. His insides lurched. The evening had flown by, as every second brought the Quincy to the cover of night – to the domain of the Hollow.
A bang from outside made Ishida jump to his feet – eyes narrowed, focusing on any source of reitsu he could find. The closest was Inoue-san's, almost a mile walk away. Walking to the window, Ishida saw the source of the noise – as a gate in the street once again slammed shut in the wind Ishida relaxed wandering into his tiny living room and collapsing into a chair.
The sound of a window being gently slid open. Ishida jumped up again, stepping as lightly as possible to the door, and peering into his bedroom.
The window was shut tight – and locked, as he'd left it. Peeking out from behind a curtain he saw his neighbour shaking a dust cloth in the night air. Cursing softly, he returned to his living room.
This continued. Every minute dragging on, every minute sound making him jump to his feet. The fear ran deeper than his very soul, and every time he jumped at a regular noise, he'd curse himself and settle down. After what seemed like eternity in slow motion, he looked at the clock. One thirty am. Surely the Hollow wouldn't visit this late? He cautiously got ready for bed, slipped into the covers and waited. But no matter how he tried, sleep refused to come, and he was still lying, staring at the ceiling when his alarm clocked bleeped the next morning, after doing nothing closer to sleep than blink through the entire night.
Ichigo fell heavily onto his bed, sighing at the clock – eleven pm, where had his evening gone? Scowling, he thought back on the days events.
'Just what had been up with Ishida? He'd started shaking at lunch, and then ran off. I would have gone to follow him, but then friggin' Keigo popped back again, and by the time he'd sorted out "Captain Idiot", Ishida was back and he'd stopped shaking, but he'd looked paler than usual. Was that even possible? Seriously, that guy looked like he'd never seen the sun, which doesn't make sense considering the time he spends training outside…'
'Then, he practically ran home after school, which isn't like him at all. He usually hangs back to let he crowds thin out before heading home. Well, he had taken the day off ill, and he did look like he had a rough night… Maybe he was just still ill? That was possible I suppose… but didn't Orihime heal him last night? Surely you can't still be ill after that… Wait… Does her Shun Shun Rikka even work on illness? Or is it just wounds?'
With that, Ichigo had drifted off to sleep, and back into the dream he was so rudely woken from that morning. He smiled to himself; Rukia wasn't the worst thing he could dream about.
It was still murky, like sinking into muddy water. Images flickered past, like pages from a seedy magazine.
A thin, lithe body lying below him, black hair sprayed across his pale cushions... A back arching to his every touch… Warm hands sliding across the muscles of his back, straining with the motion of his hips... A low moan by his ear as he nibbles the soft skin just above the collar bone… The heady smell of sweat as the two bodies fall into rhythm…
"Ichi… Ichigo" a husky breath calls his name through the gloom, one of his hands slips down the toned muscles of the others abdomen. He's not thinking of where it's going, absorbed in the sweet, sweat laced taste of the others milky skin.
"Mmmm… Ichi… Harder… Harder Ichi…" With a low growl Ichigo complies with the request, a rising doubt germinating in the dark recesses of his stomach. 'Why does that voice sound wrong?'
The pace quickens, the images blur even more, his senses overpowered by the smell of sweat, the taste of milky skin, the sound of husky moans and breathless pants. No thought's troubled his mind, only pleasure flowed through him, as if searing hot molten gold had replaced his blood.
"Ichi… Ichi I can't…" A deep, maddening moan tore from the others throat as they were gripped in the throws of an orgasm. With that Ichigo felt himself reach the edge, releasing himself deep into the other, moaning the other's name in a maddening cry. "Uryuu!"
Ichigo's eyes snapped open, stomach tightening with fear, guilt and confusion. 'Uryuu? All this time I thought it was Rukia who haunted my dreams… It was actually Ishida!? Does this mean I'm gay? What the…? That can't be right. I'm straight. Aren't I? Aren't I?!'
In a world where nothing lived, a solitary figure laughed. It laughed so hard It cried.
So, there you are. Was that a too obvious plot twist? -sweat drops- What will the Hollow do with this new information? -Grins- O, and the next chapter will be the party scene, and I suck at party scenes, so if anyone wants to throw ideas at me, no matter how big or small as to what everyone is getting up to at the party (from one-liners, to whole scenes) I'll do my best to fit it in, and I'll give you credit! (This is also a vain attempt to stave off the writers block. XD) Thank you so much, all reviews welcome, please give some ideas (doesn't matter how random, or even acceptable crossovers and cameos) and finally – I am so sorry for the wait! Please forgive me! OO