A/N So I'm back, bitches! And damn does it feel nice. For now I'm not going to go into a mile long author note, because I'm sure you don't really care, but I do have good news. As I'm sure all of you in high school, such as myself, are aware the testing dates are a meager two weeks away. Luckily for me, my school also has an 'Academy' a week before where they go over the basic stuff most likely seen on the test. Yes, I know, how is this good news? That means that I won't be in my normal classes which are kind enough to pile me with homework. Also, my after school duties for Wednesdays and Fridays are also zip until the testing is over, FINALLY providing me with some much needed writing time. So that is good news :) I would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to all those that have stuck with me over this horrible period of time known as school. It means a lot to me that you're still here! Stay strong! On to the actual story now…
Disclaimer: No witty or crazy response. Simply that I do not own anything other than the plot.
Warnings: Come on, people. My hands are cold so just check back to chapter 10 or something, please?
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Normal POV
Ichigo's Household
7:00 AM
Rolling over with a groan and pulling the blankets up over his head to try and fend off the impending cold that seems to seep in through the nonexistent cracks in the wall, a half froze male shivers as the alarm continues to blare at him. A pale hand shoots out and nearly breaks the inferior device as he slams the off button located on top. Opening one dreary eye, gold notices the time and blows it off, turning around to snuggle with the only source of real heat remotely close.
"Hmm," he nuzzles into the warmth when suddenly pain blossoms on the side of his head. "Wha' tha' fuck?"
"That's what you get, idiot. Now what time is it, I can't see the time over your big head," Ichigo huffs as a tremor runs down his spine from a cold draft.
"It's seven in tha' mornin'," Shiro yawns and their eyes both widen at the realization.
"SEVEN?!" The orangette shouts, sitting up and attempting to climb over the struggling Shiro, who is practically pushed out of the warmth provided by the bed. "Why the hell didn't you wake up earlier?! We're gonna be late at this rate!"
"It's just school, I don't see tha' big deal."
"Just school? Just school?!" Ichigo sighs in exasperation and pulls the covers off the bed in a weak form of revenge and ignores Shiro's sounds of protest mixed with his colorful vocabulary. "Oh, boo hoo that you're cold. Get up and get dressed, you're going to school whether you want to or not."
"Who are ya, mah mom?" Shiro whines as he tries to curl in on himself to keep warm, only noticing his mistake when the silence is enough to choke the life out of him. "Oops, sorry. Ya know I didn't mean it, King…"
"Whatever. Get up and get dressed or I'm leaving you behind. You got five minutes before I ditch your sorry ass."
The door bangs shut with a loud crash and Shiro groans at his obvious mistake. Stupid. How could he forget something like that. He shakes his head, white hair whipping around his face and tickling his nose, making him sneeze. 'Hope I'm not getting sick,' he thinks humorlessly, standing up and frowning at the cold weather.
"Isn't it too damn early fer this kinda weather?" The white haired male growls under his breathe, searching for his school uniform and remembering that he's still wearing it.
The two friends, if they could be called that, take off, Ichigo grabbing a quick morning snack while Shiro opts not to so he can drive with full attention. It's 7:39 when Shiro skids into the parking lot, tires screeching as he slams on the breaks, both jumping out as soon as the car stops and making a beeline for home period. Right as they take their seats the bell rings while Renji and Shinji share a similar looks of disapproval and knowledge.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Grimmjow's POV
Grimmjow's Mansion
Waking up and muttering a string of curses under my breath at the freezing temperature, I quickly decide that today would be a wonderful day to skip school and relax at home. Looking at the calendar and finding that it's Thursday, I smile at the perfect timing. About a week after Tensa showed up at school, Shiro and I had started our little battle over one Ichigo Kurosaki and around that time I had noticed a trend. The orangette would normally miss school on either a Thursday or Friday so those were the days I would miss if necessary as the chance to run into him was lower than other days.
Fumbling for my remote on the counter next to me, I manage to turn the TV on and watch the news as I sit up slowly against my headboard, yelling at the nearest house maid to bring me something to eat and drink. As I'm channel surfing, I stop once more on the news, frowning to myself at the lack of any actually interesting shows. A shy blonde walks into the room with a tray of food a few minutes later and places it on the counter, quickly retreating and I sigh while running my hands through my messy blue locks, grimacing at the stiff feeling and remembering that I had been too tired the night before to wash out all the extra hair products I had tried.
Due to my lack of interest in the news, my thoughts start to straw once more to bright orange hair and fiery amber eyes. Groaning as I catch myself once more thinking of my new target, I hit my head back against the hard wood of the backboard of the bed. I had never had to dedicate so much time and effort for one measly male, or female, and although this certain male was well worth it I couldn't help wondering if I was a fool for trying so hard for one person. A smirking Shiro flashes across my eyes and I growl, disregarding the possibility of me losing to someone like him.
Pinching my nose, I once more tell myself that Ichigo is indeed just a one-time conquest, one that I would catch and ditch just like all the others and once more stomp back the feeling of queasiness that this brings to my gut. I never wanted a serious relationship and I never will, but the more I tell myself this in relation to Ichigo the more I feel like I'm lying to myself. Looking over to my food, I finally snap as I see a glass of orange juice and immediately think of the orange head. Grabbing the glass, near shattering it with just my anger, I throw it as harshly as possible to the far wall, watching in satisfaction as it shatters and the juice splats against the light blue paint.
It's only a few seconds later that the feeling of disappointment and resentment towards myself return and I fall back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling in denial.
"What the fuck is that kid doing to me?" I whisper silently and dejectedly to myself, rolling over and escaping reality in the embrace of sleep.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Renji's POV
Lunchtime
The bell for lunch signals, kid whooping with joy as Aizen finishes his lesson at the precise second before the bell rings, meticulous and perfect as his reputation describes him from just the few weeks he's been here. From the corner of my eye I see Shinji give me a look with his eyes, a quick glance between the now hated Shirosaki and the ever oblivious Ichigo. I barely restrain myself from slamming my head on the desk in frustration at the sight of Shirosaki watching the surrounding area for any threats to his position at Ichigo's side. It's at this sight that I finally decide enough is enough, walking bravely and confidently up to Ichigo who is leaning back against his chair, the two front legs hanging midair as he covers his eyes.
"Ichi, I need to talk to you," shooting a nasty glare that is more than happily returned by the pale man I finish my statement, "alone."
"I'd watch yer words, Pineapple, before I get tha' impression yer gonna gossip behind mah back," he retorts angrily, gold eyes flashing.
"And what if I am? Nothing you can do about it," I spit, standing up to his challenge and his haughty, I'm-better-than-you attitude.
"Son of a-"
"Calm down you two," Shirosaki is interrupted form his more than obvious verbal lashing as Ichigo speaks up with his eyes now open and surveying the both of us. "If Ren wants to talk to me alone, then I'll talk with him alone. Just give us a few minutes, ok Shi?" I grit my teeth at the familiar nickname as Shirosaki frowns.
"Fine, whatever. I'll be waitin' on tha' rooftop," he sends me one last venomous look before almost stomping out of the room and off to his destination.
"You really need to stop trying to pick fights with him, Ren," Ichigo sighs as he watches Shirosaki leave in a state of what could only be described as a temper tantrum. "He takes so easily to fights."
"Well, maybe if he just left our group alone," I pout as Ichigo scolds me for something that is definitely not my fault.
"Relax, relax. I'm just saying it'd be nice if you two at least attempted to act civil," I snort and Ichigo laughs at the impossible statement. "That's what I thought. Now, what is it you have to tell me so I can go and calm that retard down."
Taking a deep breath to steady myself I finally resign to my doom. "Ichigo, it is actually about Shiro."
He looks at me in surprise. "What about him?"
"I just think he's getting too… protective of you. Everyone is starting to wonder what's going on between you two as you're always seen together and," I look around to check nobody can hear me before whispering softly to my friend, "with what happened with Hisagi everyone in our group is starting to get suspicious…" I trail off and shut up as Ichigo gives me the most menacingly glare I've ever seen.
"You can't be serious, can you? It's not like I want him to be around him, it's that he won't fucking leave me alone," he states exasperatedly, rolling his eyes as emphasis.
"I'm not accusing you of anything, even more if that's the case. I just think that, maybe…" I can't finish my sentence as Ichigo once more returns to glaring at me.
"What this big buffoon is trying to say is that Shirosaki needs to go," I recognize the voice as Shinji's and internally exhale in relief at his rescue.
Ichigo stares wide eyed at Shinji before once more turning back to stare in disbelief at me. "You're both shitting me right? What the hell guys?"
"Oh c'mon, Ichi!" Shinji practically shouts in annoyance. "You can't seriously tell me you haven't seen the way he's been staring at you! The same with Grimmjow, although nobody is stupid enough to think that you, or anyone for that matter, can get rid of that blue haired freak."
Ichigo shakes his head in denial and I share another knowing look with Shinji. It's clearer than water that the orangette is merely choosing to refuse the possibility so that he doesn't have to deal with the issues that will only continue to worsen unless dealt with. Pursing my lips and shaking my head angrily I stare at the wall, unable to guarantee that I won't resort to violence to make this idiot understand.
"Y-you guys can't possibly be serious," Ichigo finally laughs half-heartedly, looking once more at both of us. "He's just a friend. No, not even that. And Grimmjow, I'm not fucking idiotic enough to not realize what his intentions are. But, Shiro?" He laughs at the prospect. "Impossible. He just thinks it's fun to annoy me is all."
I groan and hit my forehead with my hand, Shinji mirroring my action except with a mutter of curses under his breath.
"That's it. I can't take this anymore," Shinji slams his hand on the table, shocking both Ichigo and me. "If you won't do something to make Shirosaki leave you the hell alone, I will," the fuming blonde strides off as Ichigo watches in anger and disapproval.
"He can't be serious…"
"Hate to say it, but he is," I watch with sad eyes as Shinji disappears from sight towards the roof. Ichigo goes to stand up to stop him, but I push him back down, hating that it's been reduced to this. "You'll only make it worse. Just sit here and pray that Shinji doesn't permanently mar the poor bastard."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Hisagi's POV
Rooftop
I'm holding my sides together as tears stream down my face, Rukia in much the same state next to me. The overzealous Orihime had wide eyes, waving and flailing her arms around in a poor attempt to recreate an event from her past. Due to Ichigo, the interesting orange headed teen that I had recently been introduced to, not being accountable for at this time it was up for someone else to take the reins and entertain the group. Poor Orihime was the one saddled with the difficult task of keeping us occupied until the main source of entertainment arrived.
I had quickly grown to like, and dislike, different members of the small group. First there was my childhood friend, Rukia, who was much the same as before. Orihime was another one that I found easily drawn to as it was impossible not to like her humor although her food taste was peculiar at best. Chad was also among the group I liked, quiet and thoughtful while also a strong pillar for any personal problems. Ichigo, the hot tempered male, was another person that I had no problem bonding with. He reminded me a lot of someone I knew, but couldn't quite place who.
Then there were those that I did not specifically care for, Ishida being one of them. Whenever it seems that I had something to say or made the shy orange headed girl laugh he would instantly throw in some rude comment to ruin the moment. It was clear that he was jealous, but that still did not account for his actions. Shinji and the red head was another that weren't on my favorite list of people. Rukia told me it was probably due to Shinji attacking me the first time we ever met and I couldn't rule out that possibility while the red head who I didn't bother remembering his name just didn't click well with me. I would occasionally find him sending pointless dirty looks to me.
Then there was Shirosaki and Grimmjow. If I could legally murder two people, those would be my top picks. Snarky and rude, both seemed to make it their personal goal to destroy anyone that remotely stole attention away from them from Ichigo. It was obvious to anymore that the two were attempting to be more than just friends to the orangette even if said berry didn't realize it himself.
That led to his current predicament. Shirosaki sat on the far wall of the roof, glaring at the group with a hostility that was surely uncalled for. It was a relief to not see Grimmjow around, but that hardly mattered at the moment. With the albino silently steaming in the corner, no doubt ready to pounce and tear into whomever gave him a change, tensions were a little high and attitudes frayed.
The next ten seconds were possibly the most stressful that I've ever lived in my entire life. The door to the roof flew open, revealing a very pissed off Shinji. The blonde spared nobody so much a glance, marching over to Shirosaki and it wasn't hard to hear what he was yelling at the mad considering he was, well, yelling.
"That's it! I've reached my limit. I can't stand you pretending to be the good guy anymore. Ichi may be too damn dense to notice that you're pinning after him, but I'm most certainly not. You're no longer welcome here so if you'll please leave and never speak to any of us, particularly Ichi, again that would be most appreciated."
Jaws dropped and a needle could be heard falling to the rough concrete of the ceiling as Shirosaki merely stared wide eyed at the fuming blonde. Seconds ticked by slowly and then the oddest thing happened. As if the whole thing was a giant joke to him, the pale man only started cackling, the sound carrying and echoing.
"O-oh, oh! Tha's too good! Y-ya can't be serious, can ya?" He asked while continuing to laugh, causing Shinji's eye to twitch. "How stupid can ya get? If anything, ya should be thankin' me cuz if I wasn't there Grimmjow would have no doubt resorted ta usin' force on poor King," teeth could be heard gritting around the circle with curses being thrown to the wind carelessly.
"I'm sure he'd be able to handle Grimmjow just fine, but he seems to think that you're not after the same exact thing. I don't trust you for a minute," Shinji states confidently, hoping that Shirosaki would get the message that no matter what he excuses he could spit out he'd have an answer ready.
"I'm just tryin' ta help 'im," Shirosaki snaps, irritated at being denied and shot down although it should be clear that he has a solid point.
"He doesn't need your help!" Shinji practically screams as events finally seem to catch up to him and he lets it flow. "He was perfectly fine before you ever showed up and he'll continue that way. All you're doing is hindering him from finishing his work and releasing it! He needs his space and if you don't leave him alone his career is officially fucked!"
Confused, I'm unable to hold back my questions.
"What career? What are you talking about?"
Shinji's eyes widen before he covers his mouth in horror. "I've said too much," he whispers before taking off down the stairs, every pair of eyes watching as he goes, most of them in shock and anger much to my confusion.
"What was he talking about?" I ask once more, but get no response and I look to Shirosaki for help only to find him in much the same stupor as me. "Is there something I missed?" I mutter to myself as Shirosaki sits there in a stunned silence as Shinji takes off running down the stairs.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Shiro's POV
I'm at a loss for words as the blonde, who just tried to throw me out, for lack of a better term, practically flees from the rooftop with his tail between his legs. The nagging feeling I had after listening to the DVD's in King's house returns, albeit a whole hell of a lot stronger. It's the distict feeling that there is something I should have figured out by now, but what it could be is the question. Closing my eyes in hopes of blocking out the circle of friends now alternating looks between the door to the stairs and me, I begin to contemplate just what all these clues add up to.
Something tells me it may just be worth the time and effort to find out.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Alright! Well, there we are. I have mixed feelings about this chapter. It could be a hell of a lot better, but at this point I'm a bit rusty and a decent chapter is better than no chapter, yes? Hoped you all enjoyed this and please, do feel free to leave a review and fave, follow, fangirl. Hey, it's your choice XD I will tell you this though, one of the reasons that I felt the need to update this was due to the reviews that I received even LONG after my last update in January… (I'm so sorry guise!) I did plan on updating, but it was due to finding (at school, no less) that people were still reviewing this. Just a little information for all those out there that think that a review is just a message commenting on the story, they are worth more than gold to me!