The next two weeks were very busy for Ichigo. Ikkaku could tell that he really wanted to practice and try to win the music competition. Unfortunately none of the other soul reapers understood. No one seemed to see Ichigo as a high school student and child. Finally on the Friday of the first week Ikkaku put his foot down. It was an hour after school got out when Kenpachi came for Ichigo.
"Hey Ikkaku, is Ichigo done with his chores, I have been waiting all day to fight with him."
"He's busy practicing his guitar solo Captain, please don't disturb him." Ikkaku said firmly.
"Who wants to play a dumb guitar solo anyways?" Kenpachi said before shouting,
"ICHIGO COME ON LET'S GO FIGHT!"
Ichigo ignored him, trusting his teacher that he will take care of everything.
"Captain, please come back tomorrow," Ikkaku said again sternly.
"Fine," Kenpachi said with a slight smile, "Then you fight me."
Ikkaku smiled back, "You're on Zaraki."
From inside the house Dan gazed out the front window.
"What's wrong Dan?" Uryu asked on his way out to play ball with the others. The kids were going out as much as possible before the rainy season started.
"Kenny always comes for Ichigo, and when he can't come he takes Ikkaku. I thought I was the one he adopted but he won't spend any time with me," Dan said.
"Not that it bothers me," he added. Dan, having grown up on the streets was by far the toughest of the kids and never showed his feelings.
"Don't sweat it," Karin said giving him a punch in the arm. Dan shrugged,
"Maybe you're right," he said and then ran off to play ball with the others.
When Ikkaku came back from his fight with his captain he found some very dirty students. He could tell though that they had fun playing. However he sighed inwardly to himself sensing the usual tension when spring and summer hit. The kids seemed to always be in competition with each other through the summer, and thanks to Karin, it was normally the unhealthy type.
sorry i havnt written in a while, i havnt been in the mood. im back now